Saturday 7 October 2023

Is the carbon tax an easy scapegoat for high food prices?

 
 

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Is the carbon tax an easy scapegoat for high food prices?

Affordability arguments in favour of killing the tax ignore the impact climate change has on food prices

It remains one of the boldest and most consequential decisions of his time in office. It's also one of the most loudly contested — even after two federal elections that might have been expected to settle the issue.

This week, the House voted on yet another Conservative motion calling on MPs to condemn the carbon tax — the Official Opposition's fifth such motion in the last 12 months. This time, the Conservatives were able to win the support of one Liberal backbencher — Ken McDonald, who represents the Newfoundland riding of Avalon — illustrating the public consternation Liberal climate policies are facing in Atlantic Canada.

But the Conservatives are also hammering away with television ads that blame the carbon tax for the high price of groceries, an argument that might hold particular power as Canadians prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Pierre Poilievre speaks from the podium Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's statements about the impact carbon pricing has on affordability ignore one big factor: the rebates. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

"Mr. Speaker, when one taxes the fuel of the farmers who make the food and the fuel of the truckers who ship the food, then one taxes all those who buy the food," Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told the House this week, ably reenacting his party's ads.

This period of high inflation certainly presents a fresh political test for any climate policy that creates a new cost for industry or consumers. But in the debate about food prices, the carbon tax is being saddled with an outsized and undeserved role — one that, ironically, distracts from the very real impact climate change and extreme weather are having, and will have, on the cost of groceries.

What's really driving up food prices?

It's not that the carbon tax has no impact on food prices and inflation. It's just not obvious that it is having a particularly large impact.

The Bank of Canada has estimated that the carbon tax increases inflation by 0.15 per cent. Trevor Tombe, an economist at the University of Calgary who has studied the impact of the carbon price on consumer costs, points to Statistics Canada data that suggests its impact on food prices is less than one per cent.

That's not nothing, and every dollar counts when it comes to the cost of essentials, particularly for those on low incomes.

But concerns about the impact of the carbon tax also tend to ignore the fact that the policy has two parts — a fuel charge collected by the federal government and a rebate that returns 90 per cent of the revenue generated by the levy to Canadian households. (The remaining 10 per cent is directed toward businesses, farmers and Indigenous communities.)

Unlike any number of other federal and provincial policies that might be said to contribute to the cost of food — from corporate taxes to food safety regulations — the federal carbon tax comes with a rebate.

The parliamentary budget officer has consistently found that nearly all households receive more from the rebate than they pay in direct and indirect costs. Only households in the highest income quintile are projected to pay out more than they receive — because they consume more. Repealing the carbon tax could actually leave many Canadians worse off.

Recent polling suggests a sizeable number of Canadians like the idea of reducing or eliminating the carbon tax. Maybe the same would be true of a poll about any kind of tax. Regardless, the Liberals might need to redouble efforts now to make the case for one of Trudeau's signature policies.

But any discussion of food prices has to include the impact of climate change — the very problem that the carbon tax is meant to help combat.

An analysis from Statistics Canada published last November linked "erratic weather" — including droughts, heat waves, flooding and heavy rainfall — with increases in the prices of meat, fruit, vegetables, sugar and coffee. In June, economists at RBC reported that, while food price inflation was expected to slow, a return to pre-pandemic prices was unlikely — in part because "extreme weather events are becoming more frequent across different regions and could meaningfully limit farm production."

An aerial view of a flood-damaged farm. Mud and debris covers a farm on the Nicola River that was destroyed by flooding in November, west of Merritt, B.C., on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Other sources of inflation cited by RBC include Russia's invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions and labour shortages. And Canada is hardly alone in feeling the impact on food prices.

Kelleen Wiseman, academic director of the master of food and resource economics program at the University of British Columbia, said price increases from extreme weather events typically are temporary. But Mike von Massow, a professor of food economics at the University of Guelph, said "the impact of climate [on food prices] is at least an order of magnitude bigger than the impact of the carbon tax."

"I think that there is little doubt that extreme weather, the increasing frequency and severity, is not only causing food price inflation but will lead to ongoing greater instability in food prices," vow Massow said. "It'll be much more difficult to predict where we're going because of the unpredictability of these weather events."

In hopes of containing prices, the federal government has put its focus on major retailers. Von Massow said that what's really needed is a broader "food system discussion" that brings all the players together to talk about building a resilient, integrated system that can withstand the forces that climate change is unleashing.

Why is the carbon tax taking the blame?

Tombe, who has also dismissed the utility of blaming retailers, has suggested it would make more sense to look at dismantling the supply management system for dairy and poultry in Canada. Regardless of how one feels about that proposal, it's at least interesting to note that no political party is choosing to make supply management a target right now — while scorn is being heaped on the carbon tax.

Across the federal parties, support for supply management is virtually unanimous. Killing it might lower prices of milk, eggs and chicken for consumers. But the major parties apparently have calculated that the political and practical benefits of the system outweigh its costs — that the trade-offs are worth it.

About 30 cows crowd around to investigate the camera in an outdoor pasture at Tiny Acres Holsteins. A tractor and some of the Bryantons' fields are visible in the background. Supply management retains broad support in mainstream Canadian politics, even though it drives up the cost of food. (Nicola MacLeod/CBC)

The presence of the rebate minimizes the degree to which the federal carbon tax requires any kind of trade-off. But to the degree carbon pricing does increase costs for fuel and other goods, the trade-off is reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

Economists have long argued that putting a price on carbon is the least expensive way to drive emissions down. And Trudeau is hardly alone in accepting that logic. According to the World Bank, 23 per cent of global emissions are now covered by some kind of pricing policy — up from 13 per cent in 2016.

The federal carbon tax might someday come to be as politically untouchable as supply management. For now, the Conservatives seem to believe it's in their interests to direct anger at the carbon tax — even while they seem unable to say what they would do instead to reduce emissions.

But if climate policy is going to be scapegoated every time the price of groceries goes up, Canada is going to have a very hard time sustaining a serious response to climate change.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Aaron Wherry

Senior writer

Aaron Wherry has covered Parliament Hill since 2007 and has written for Maclean's, the National Post and the Globe and Mail. He is the author of Promise & Peril, a book about Justin Trudeau's years in power.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
6441 Comments
 

Don Corey
The carbon tax provides a source of funds to pay for another Trudeau income redistribution scheme. There has been no demonstrable impact on reducing carbon emissions (contrary to what some here are saying), so it is a tax that does nothing other than to add to our daily cost of living. Scrap it!


Ted Thompson
Reply to Don Corey
Bingo....the defenders here say removing the tax will hurt low income and seniors = wealth distribution.


Jon Moddle
Reply to Ted Thompson
So you're against helping low income families and giving back to those in need?


Don Corey
Reply to Ted Thompson
Exactly. I'm a senior, but I'll survive without Trudeau's so called carbon cheque.


Brad Hansen
Reply to Jon Moddle
Why not let them keep their money in the first place? Why the shell game?


Jon Moddle
Reply to Brad Hansen
They get more back this way, why are you against that?


Brad Hansen
Reply to Jon Moddle
You keep believing that...carry on.


Jon Moddle
Reply to Brad Hansen
It's a fact, so yes I will.


Brad Hansen
Reply to Jon Moddle
Not according to the PBO.


Jon Moddle
Reply to Brad Hansen
You should read that again.


David R. Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Me too but I have no choice in the matter without a SIN

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/mcdonald-carbon-tax-vote-23-1.6988126 

 

N.L. Liberal MP votes against carbon tax a 2nd time, says Guilbeault wrong messenger for policy

Ken McDonald was the only member of Parliament to break rank during the vote on Wednesday

Liberal backbencher Ken McDonald defends voting with Conservatives to repeal carbon pricing system

Duration 1:13
Featured VideoAvalon MP Ken McDonald was the only member of the Liberal, Bloc Quebecois or NDP caucuses who sided with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s proposal to scrap all carbon taxes. McDonald, who got a standing ovation from the Conservatives, said he was standing up for his constituents.
 
 A Liberal member of Parliament has broken ranks with the government on its carbon tax for the second time, saying federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is the wrong person to sell the party's environmental messaging in Atlantic Canada.

Ken McDonald, MP for Newfoundland and Labrador's Avalon riding, voted with the federal Conservatives on Wednesday on a non-binding motion to repeal the carbon tax, the only member of the Liberal, NDP or Bloc Québécois caucuses to do so. Speaking with CBC News on Thursday, he said he believes the policy will cost the Liberals votes in the next election.

"Everywhere I go, people come up to me and say, you know, 'We're losing faith in the Liberal party," McDonald said in an interview with the CBC's Power & Politics.

"I think they will lose seats not just in Newfoundland, not just in Atlantic Canada, but indeed right across the country if they don't get a grasp on this the way that I think they should.… And if if an election were called today, I'm not sure if the Liberal party would actually form the government."

McDonald also said he didn't think federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is the right messenger for the carbon tax in Atlantic Canada.

"He's not, because he's so entrenched in it," McDonald said. "And I get it, where he came from, and his whole idea of making a big difference in climate change, but you can't do it all overnight. You can't make it more expensive on people than what they can handle. And that's exactly what's happening right now."

 WATCH | See why Ken McDonald cast his vote against his own party: 
 

Liberal MP votes with Conservatives to oppose carbon tax

Duration 8:11
Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MP Ken McDonald was the only member of his caucus to vote in favour of a Conservative motion to repeal all carbon taxes. He says the federal carbon tax disproportionately affects Atlantic Canada.

The federal Liberals need to look at it from the perspective of people in rural Atlantic Canada, he said.

"The government has to put a lens on it, a rural lens, for the sake of a better word, and try and come up with a plan that's satisfactory and appealable to people who live in rural," he said. "Maybe no plan will be appealable to rural, I don't know. But I think the government has to try, and if they do that, I think they got a chance of moving past it."

It's not the first time McDonald has sided against the party on the carbon tax. He voted against it in October 2022, prompting a standing ovation from the Conservatives.

McDonald said Thursday he also voted against the policy to show support for Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, who has asked the federal government to do more to minimize the tax's impact on the province and Atlantic Canada.

Fellow N.L. MP says Opposition motion doesn't help Canadians

In Corner Brook on Thursday, Gudie Hutchings, Liberal MP for N.L.'s Long Range Mountains riding, noted McDonald was the only one who didn't vote with the government.

"The Bloc voted with us, the NDP voted with us as well. I believe in policies and private members' bills and Opposition Day motions and motions that are going to make a difference for Canadians. This one isn't," said Hutchings.

Two politicians smile and look to their right in a legislature as they stand and wait for something. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre went back and forth Thursday in the House of Commons regarding McDonald's decision to vote against the government. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

On Thursday in the House of Commons, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said McDonald's vote shows the policy doesn't help Canadians.

"This carbon tax is not worth the cost, and it's not just me saying it. The Liberal member for Avalon has said, and I quote 'We are punishing rural areas of our country and the most vulnerable people in society," said Poilievre, who called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to listen to Furey's call to "axe the tax."

Trudeau defended the policy, saying the impact of climate change is clear.

"In all the conversations I had with rural Canadians across the country this summer, they were devastated by the impacts of record wildfires, of floods, of droughts, of heat waves," Trudeau said. 

"They see the impact of climate change, and they know that we need to continue to fight climate change while putting money back in their pockets. That's exactly what our price on pollution does."

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Alex Kennedy

Journalist

Alex Kennedy is a digital reporter with CBC Newfoundland and Labrador based in Corner Brook. He previously worked with CBC N.L. in St. John's, and has a particular interest in stories about sports and interesting people.

With files from Colleen Connors, Power & Politics and CBC Ottawa

 


 

'Best-before date' looms over Liberals if Canadians don't get a break, says MP Ken McDonald

Liberal MP hopes federal government will claw back taxes on gas and heating oil

Parliament is back in session after a summer of increased wildfires, inflation, spikes in the cost of living, and housing shortages across the country. 

Newfoundland and Labrador hasn't been immune to many of these problems. The rising cost of rent and lack of available housing is putting pressure on the province and its municipalities to find a quick solution.

There's also been a rise in the popularity of opposition Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, according to numerous opinion polls that point to a widening lead over Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals.

Although Avalon MP Ken McDonald says his party needs to get a handle on ahead of the next election or possibly risk losing government.

"I think we have to come up with some policies and some programs that help to ease the pain of what people are facing today," McDonald told CBC News.

"That's something that happens regularly. And I don't know if the best-before date is gone, yet, on the Liberal Party. But it's getting there if Canadians are not seeing a break real soon."

In October of last year, McDonald was the only Liberal to stand in support of a Conservative motion to exempt home heating fuel from the federal carbon tax.

About 48,000 homes in Newfoundland and Labrador use oil as their primary source of heating, and with the rising cost over the last few years some residents' wallets have been squeezed dry — the carbon tax makes the fuel that much more expensive by 17 cents more per litre. 

That's on top of the federal government's Clean Fuels Strategy, which adds 14 cents to a litre of gas. The provincial Liberals dropped its own tax on gas on July 1 when the federal strategy came into play. 

Tories are hitting pocketbook issues, MP says

Poilievre's campaign has been centred around one slogan: "Axe the tax." His focus during visits to Newfoundland and Labrador over the last 18 months has been on lowering the cost of home heating oils. 

McDonald believes that's why the opposition leader may be out in front.

A man wearing a blue shirt holding a microphone and standing on a stage. Behind him is a black backdrop and Canadian flags. Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, has been touring Newfoundland and Labrador with promises to cut the tax on home heating fuels. (Danny Arsenault/CBC)

"That, I think, hits home to everybody because everybody realizes that whether it be through the Clean Fuels Strategy or the rise in the cost of home heating oil, you name it, it's partially because of some taxes that have been put on to those particular items," he said.

"When you hurt people in the pocketbook, they remember it. When you promise to not hurt them in the pocketbook, or to eliminate a tax that they're now paying, that bodes well with the every day Canadian when it comes to their pocketbook issues."

McDonald said he is not nervous and the mood within his party is "pretty good" heading into the fall session, and following a national Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ont. 

McDonald said he and others put their concerns on the table. 

"What some of us, myself included, have mentioned … is either give a break on the home heating fuel tax and the Clean Fuel Strategy for a certain length of time. I think people would look at that as being favourable," he said.

"Will it ever come back again? I don't know. Will the government actually do something in that regard? We keep talking about it. We talk about it to ministers, we talk about it at caucuses. Some of us are really hoping that we do something to ease the burden, especially on people that live in rural communities."

With files from On The Go

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Atlantic Liberal MPs press Trudeau for rural carbon tax carve-out

MPs say their constituents need more relief from the rising cost of living

MP Ken McDonald, who represents the riding of Avalon in Newfoundland and Labrador, said many of his constituents feel abandoned by the federal government.

He brought their concerns to the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the national Liberal caucus meetings this week in London, Ont.

"I told him exactly as it is," McDonald said. "We're punishing the rural areas of our country and the most vulnerable people in our society."

McDonald is pushing for a special policy for rural Canadians that would include carbon tax rebates higher than those the backstop program currently offers.

Ken McDonald is the Liberal MP for Conception Bay South in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ken McDonald, Liberal MP for Conception Bay South in Newfoundland and Labrador, pitched a rural carbon tax carve-out to the prime minister at the national Liberal caucus meeting in London, Ont. (Olivia Stefanovich/CBC)

The federal carbon tax applies in provinces and territories that don't have carbon pricing systems that Ottawa considers sufficient to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The government already gives a supplement to residents of rural and small communities that increases the amount of rebates in their province by 10 per cent to account for increased energy needs and reduced access to transportation options.

Under the program, residents in Newfoundland and Labrador receive payments every three months: $164 for people who live alone, $82 for a spouse or common-law partner, $41 per child under the age of 19 and $82 for the first child in a single-parent family.

In Nova Scotia, those amounts are even lower. Liberal Atlantic caucus chair Kody Blois said those payments aren't high enough. 

"There should be a higher rural rebate," said Blois, who represents the Nova Scotia riding of Kings—Hants.

"The policy is the right intent, but I think we need to have some adjustments."

A man in a suit and tie. Kody Blois, chair of the national Liberal rural caucus and Nova Scotia Liberal caucus, says he wants higher carbon tax rebates for rural Canadians. (Mark Crosby/CBC)

McDonald said Trudeau acknowledged there's an issue in rural areas and said the government will see if there's something it can do.

"People will be very upset when the ballot box comes up the next time if we don't," McDonald said.

"That's what the prime minister is hearing loud and clear."

McDonald said he was moved to speak up after hearing about the struggles of rural Canadians. He said one constituent called him to say she can't afford home heating oil anymore.

"She said, 'I go around my house with a blanket wrapped around me.' And she said, 'The only time I get to have beef or chicken is if my niece or nephew invites me out to Sunday dinner,'" he said.

McDonald said he tells that story to everyone he talks to in government.

"I think government is starting to understand it," McDonald said.

"At first, some people said to me, like, there's nobody living like that … And I said, 'If you don't think people are living like that, you're not living in the real world.'"

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces new affordability measures, as he concludes the national Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ontario. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrapped up national Liberal caucus meetings in London, Ont. on Thursday without announcing any relief for rural Canadians struggling to pay for fuel. (Sylvain Lepage/CBC News)

In Newfoundland and Labrador, he said, many consumer goods come in on aircraft or ferries, which burn fuel.

McDonald said he isn't surprised by the Liberals' plummeting poll numbers because Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's "axe the tax" campaign is telling people what they want to hear.

He said Trudeau needs to travel across the country, shake some hands and let people know he still has their backs.

"I hope the government is going to listen and do something or the government will be in trouble," McDonald said. 

McDonald said while Ottawa must do its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the burden of that effort shouldn't fall on the backs of the most vulnerable.

"I will continue to stand up for the constituents, which I represent, whether it's favourable to the government or unfavourable," McDonald said.

"I want to make sure they have their voice heard."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Olivia Stefanovich

Senior reporter

Olivia Stefanovich is a senior reporter for CBC's Parliamentary Bureau based in Ottawa. She previously worked in Toronto, Saskatchewan and northern Ontario. Connect with her on Twitter at @CBCOlivia. Story tips welcome: olivia.stefanovich@cbc.ca.

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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2022 18:44:28 -0400
Subject: I read the news up north today and called both offices of the
Liberal MP Michael McLeod to remind him of the last email I sent him
on All Hallows Eve
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leannemb <leannemb@protonmail.com>, harold@jonkertrucking.com,
keepcanada@protonmail.com, andyjohanna01@hotmail.com,
janiebpelchat@icloud.com, janetseto@protonmail.com,
johndoppenberg@icloud.com, stiessen1979@gmail.com,
77cordoba@outlook.com, pierrette.ringuette@sen.parl.gc.ca,
Patrick.Brazeau@sen.parl.gc.ca

, george.furey@sen.parl.gc.ca,
larry.campbell@sen.parl.gc.ca, Bev.Busson@sen.parl.gc.ca,
info@lionelmedia.com, liveneedtoknow@gmail.com, tips@steeltruth.com,
media@steeltruth.com, press@deepcapture.com, washington field
<washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, bbachrach <bbachrach@bachrachlaw.net>,
"Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "barbara.massey"
<barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>,
Norman Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, news <news@dailygleaner.com>,
nobyrne <nobyrne@unb.ca>, tracy@uncoverdc.com, James@jamesfetzer.com,
editor@americanthinker.com, nharris@maverick-media.ca, nouvelle
<nouvelle@acadienouvelle.com>, news-tips <news-tips@nytimes.com>,
danajmetcalfe@icloud.com, lauralynnlive@protonmail.com,
rglangille@gmail.com, paulpalango <paulpalango@protonmail.com>,
NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, nsinvestigators
<nsinvestigators@gmail.com>, editor@ssimicro.com, inuvikdrum@nnsl.com,
kivalliqnews@nnsl.com, editor@nunavutnews.com
Cc: Jaime.Battiste@parl.gc.ca, Kody.Blois@parl.gc.ca,
Andy.Fillmore@parl.gc.ca, motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
Darren.Fisher@parl.gc.ca, Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca,
Bernadette.Jordan@parl.gc.ca, Mike.Kelloway@parl.gc.ca,
Darrell.Samson@parl.gc.ca, Lenore.Zann@parl.gc.ca, "heather.bradley"
<heather.bradley@parl.gc.ca>, geoff.regan@parl.gc.ca,
kelly@kellyregan.ca, Michael.Duffy@sen.parl.gc.ca,
Sean.Casey@parl.gc.ca, Robert.Morrissey@parl.gc.ca,
lawrence.macaulay@parl.gc.ca, "Furey, John" <jfurey@nbpower.com>,
wharrison <wharrison@nbpower.com>, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>,
"Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>,
Gudie.Hutchings@parl.gc.ca, Yvonne.Jones@parl.gc.ca,
Ken.McDonald@parl.gc.ca, Seamus.ORegan@parl.gc.ca,
Churence.Rogers@parl.gc.ca, scott.simms@parl.gc.ca,
Jim.Carr@parl.gc.ca, Dan.Vandal@parl.gc.ca,
kevin.lamoureux@parl.gc.ca, Terry.Duguid@parl.gc.ca,
Larry.Bagnell@parl.gc.ca, Michael.McLeod@parl.gc.ca

 https://www.nnsl.com/news/nwt-mp-says-bill-c-21-must-not-impede-rights-of-northern-hunters/

NWT MP says Bill C-21 must not impede rights of Northern hunters

by NNSL Media December 7, 2022

“There are aspects of (the bill) right now that are a bit blurry for
me and a little bit concerning,” says Northwest Territories Member of
Parliament Michael McLeod. NNSL file photo

The federal government’s proposed legislation that aims in part to
prohibit hundreds of previously legal firearms may be called for a
final vote as soon as this month, but NWT MP Michael McLeod says he is
not yet satisfied with the bill in its current form.

McLeod, a member of the governing Liberal party, said he has long
supported his party’s effort to toughen gun laws since being elected
in 2015 and pointed out that he likes some provisions of the current
draft of Bill C-21. Aspects he approves of include red and yellow flag
laws that would allow court-order prohibitions, handgun freezes,
attention to illegal smuggling and trafficking and stiffer maximum
penalties for gun crimes.

However, he said definitions need to be clearer around what
constitutes “military-style assault weapons” and there needs to be a
better understanding as to why there are some non-semi-automatic guns
on the prohibition list.

He added that Public Safety Canada needs to better acknowledge common
gun use in the North and should improve consultation with Northerners
before a vote is held, particularly Indigenous people, as per Section
35 of the Constitution, the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous
Peoples and specific self-governing agreements.

“There are aspects of (the bill) right now that are a bit blurry for
me and a little bit concerning,” he said. “I don’t know what is being
suggested when it comes to changing the definition of assault weapons.

“I have spoken to the minister in charge, (Public Safety Minister)
Marco Mendicino, and I’ve indicated to him that he doesn’t have my
full support until I really understand this and until I’m completely
convinced (the bill) won’t affect hunters, sport shooters and trappers
in the North.

“I have also indicated that I’m not satisfied that his people have
done a good enough job to consult.”

‘Heated debate’

McLeod admitted he has a personal interest in the issue as he has been
a longtime collector of firearms, so he considers himself well versed
in the need for specifics when placing prohibitions on guns.

“There are already some guns that are not semi-automatics that are on
the list and we need to know why,” he said. “Most of them are because
they exceed the 10,000 joule (projectile limit) but we are trying to
scrub the list to make sure that nothing gets on that list that people
are using for hunting in the North.”

Because of his experience and perspective, there can be “heated”
debate within his own party, he said.

“A lot of times when we have discussions within caucus, I’m the one
with the most guns and probably the one with the most knowledge about
guns,” he said. “We have a large part of the MPs in caucus that… see
guns from a city/urban standpoint and look at it through that lens.
But there are lots from the rural or remote and northern parts of the
country that look at guns and view it in a different light.

“We don’t see it as a weapon but we see it as a tool.”

Raquel Dancho, Conservative MP and vice-chair of the House of Commons
public safety and national security committee that has been examining
the bill, said her party has been opposed to the bill from the
beginning. However, her opposition became stronger in recent weeks as
the government attempted during clause-by-clause reading in committee
to add non-restricted hunting rifles among those proposed to be
prohibited and to redefine a ‘military assault rifle’ with any
semi-automatic gun with the capacity to carry a magazine.

She has called the move “the largest assault on hunters in Canada” and
has charged that the federal government is going after “Grandpa Joe’s
hunting rifle instead of gangsters in Toronto.”

“The problem with that of course is that (the proposed bill)
encapsulates hundreds and hundreds of models of common firearms and
shotguns used for duck hunting or farming,” she said.

“Trudeau has been consistent in saying that he will never come for
hunters and now they are.

“If this legislation stands, it leaves a backdoor open that any listed
hunting rifle can be banned with the stroke of a pen.”

‘Hammered’ with emails

Dancho said that having a voice from provincial or territorial
leadership against the legislation — as Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
Alberta have done — could make a difference in presenting a stance
against the bill.

“I would also empower every voter who would like to see hunting remain
in Canada to reach out to the Liberal MP ASAP,” she said. “MPs are
currently getting hammered with thousands of emails on this.”

For his part, McLeod said he has received both support and opposition
to the bill and that he situates himself somewhere in the middle.

Scott Cairns, past president of the Yellowknife Shooting Club, said
he’s concerned that the bill amendments will likely lead to many club
members owning prohibited guns due to the popular use of
non-restricted, semi-automatic guns. Often these firearms are
beneficial to hunters wanting to get shots off quickly when ducks or
geese come into sight or when trying to quickly take down larger game
like deer or caribou.

“Because of the type of gun, the semi-automatic and the fact that they
are extra popular among users makes this a very sweeping prohibition,”
he explained.

“What the federal government is now saying with this law is that they
are taking firearms that were bought over the counter for normal use
and by the stroke of a pen saying that you are not allowed to sell,
use or trade away. It is not acceptable to me and should not be
acceptable to anyone.”

Possession acquisition licence

Cairns said that legal firearm owners already go through a rigorous
and invasive procedure to be able to possess in the first place, which
is among the opposition by gun owners regarding the proposed bill.

To legally own a gun in the Northwest Territories, one must seek out a
Possession acquisition licence (PAL) by first paying a $300 fee and
then taking a Canada Firearm Safety course led by a credible
instructor.

Once passing the course, one must fill out a five-page application
form to send to the RCMP.

Before a permit can be issued, the RCMP thoroughly researches an
applicant’s history, which can include marital and mental health
history and criminal record backgrounds.

After contact with references, a non-restricted firearm licence may
then be issued.

GNWT Department of Justice spokesperson Ngan Trinh said this week that
the territorial government is reviewing recent amendments to the bill
but admitted that questions remain surrounding the proposed
legislation, including on how proposed buyback program would work.

“Community safety and crime reduction is a shared responsibility with
the federal government and we will work with our partners including
Public Safety Canada and the RCMP to assess any implications from the
ban,” Trinh said.

Messages for this story were left with Justice Minister R.J. Simpson
and cabinet as well as the Northwest Territories RCMP on Dec. 1. They
did not respond by press deadline.

—By Simon Whitehouse, Northern News Services


Contact Us

Our publishing company, Northern News Services Limited and our
affiliated company, Canarctic Graphics Limited, a full-service printer
have offices in Nunavut and Northwest Territories.

Publisher: Mike W. Bryant
Print Shop Manager: Sean Crowell

Managing Editor: James McCarthy
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ALL DEPARTMENTS/ALL PAPERS
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Phone (867) 873-4031
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Ph. (867) 873-4371
Fax (867) 920-4371


Methinks the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
are gonna have a Hell of a hearing on All Hallows Eve N'esy Pas?




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2022 15:13:53 -0300
Subject: Re The CRA in the news again Deja Vu anyone???
To: dmilot@milotlaw.ca, contactus@taxationlawyers.ca,
acampbell@legacylawyers.ca, jdp@tdslaw.com, "Nathalie.Drouin"
<Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>, Diane.Lebouthillier@parl.gc.ca,
"erin.otoole" <erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, premier
<premier@ontario.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>,
"jagmeet.singh" <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair"
<Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki" <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, nathalie.sturgeon@globalnews.ca,
"Jason.Proctor" <Jason.Proctor@cbc.ca>, "John.Williamson"
<John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>,
"blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "rob.moore"
<rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>,
"steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, "Melanie.Joly"
<Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca>, "Mark.Blakely"
<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "martin.gaudet"
<martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)"
<megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "michael.macdonald"
<michael.macdonald@thecanadianpress.com>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, sheilagunnreid
<sheilagunnreid@gmail.com>, "silas.brown" <silas.brown@globalnews.ca>,
christian.lorenz@international.gc.ca

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Lorenz, Christian" <Christian.Lorenz@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2022 17:32:23 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Jeff Pniowsky I was readig about you in
CBC today perhaps we should talk ASAP?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

This email is not routinely monitored.

I am in my new role as Regional Director, Europe, Africa and Middle
East, and can be reached at: christian.lorenz@international.gc.ca
effective 15 August 2022.

Thank you.

**
Cette addresse courriel n'est pas surveillée régulièrement.

Je suis dans mon nouveau rôle comme Directeur Régional, Europe,
Afrique et Moyen-Orient, et peux être rejoint au:
christian.lorenz@international.gc.ca dés le 15 août 2022.

Merci.



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:00:03 -0400
Subject: Re The CRA in the news again Deja Vu anyone???
To: dmilot@milotlaw.ca, contactus@taxationlawyers.ca,
acampbell@legacylawyers.ca, jdp@tdslaw.com, "Nathalie.Drouin"
<Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>, Diane.Lebouthillier@parl.gc.ca,
"erin.otoole" <erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, premier
<premier@ontario.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>,
"jagmeet.singh" <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair"
<Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki" <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Nathalie Sturgeon
<sturgeon.nathalie@brunswicknews.com>, "Jason.Proctor"
<Jason.Proctor@cbc.ca>, "John.Williamson"
<John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>,
"blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "rob.moore"
<rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>,
"steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2021/03/rcmp-threaten-bc-church-with-canada.html


Sunday, 7 March 2021

RCMP threaten a BC church with Canada Revenue Agency investigation???
NOW THATS TOO TOO FUNNY INDEED



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cra-gross-negligence-demara-penalties-1.5945861

Canada Revenue Agency accused of blaming victims as 'gross negligence'
cases drag on


B.C. retiree who won appeal of $139K penalty claimed she didn't know
what was filed on her behalf
Jason Proctor · CBC News · Posted: Mar 11, 2021 5:45 PM PT

About the Author
Jason Proctor @proctor_jason
Jason Proctor is a reporter in British Columbia for CBC News and has
covered the B.C. courts and mental health issues in the justice system
extensively.


https://www.tdslaw.com/person/jeff-pniowsky/

Jeff Pniowsky
Jeff focuses his practice in the areas of tax litigation and dispute
resolution in the tax audit and appeals process, tax advisory
services, and complex commercial litigation.

    (204) 934-0586
    jdp@tdslaw.com


https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/tcc/doc/2021/2021tcc14/2021tcc14.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAJdmFuY291dmVyAAAAAAE&resultIndex=3

Signed at Ottawa, Canada, this 2nd day of March 2021.

“Sylvain Ouimet”

Ouimet J.

CITATION:


2021 TCC 14

COURT FILE NO.:


2016-1686(IT)G

STYLE OF CAUSE:


MARGO DIANNE BOWKER

AND HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

PLACE OF HEARING:


Vancouver, British Columbia

DATE OF HEARING:


February 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2020

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY:


The Honourable Justice Sylvain Ouimet

DATE OF JUDGMENT:


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2022 14:47:27 -0300
Subject: Fwd: Attn Jeff Pniowsky I was readig about you in CBC today
perhaps we should talk ASAP?
To: hmartinez@tdslaw.com, cdacosta@tdslaw.com
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Danielle Delorme <ddelorme@tdslaw.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2022 17:40:00 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Réponse automatique : Attn Jeff Pniowsky I
was readig about you in CBC today perhaps we should talk ASAP?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

I will be out of the office Friday, September 30th and returning
Tuesday, October 11th.

I will not be checking emails during this time.


If you requrie assistance before October 11th, please contact either:

Colleen Da Costa   204-934-2340   cdacosta@tdslaw.com

Heather Martinez   204-934-2379   hmartinez@tdslaw.com


Thank you,

Danielle Delorme

Click the following link to unsubscribe or subscribe to TDS e-communications:

Unsubscribe at https://tdslaw.us3.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=980f278fbc816ab0f18183e01&id=cc57ea514c

Subscribe at https://www.tdslaw.com/subscribe/


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2022 14:32:11 -0300
Subject: Attn Jeff Pniowsky I was readig about you in CBC today
perhaps we should talk ASAP?
To: jdp@tdslaw.com, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Jason.Proctor"
<Jason.Proctor@cbc.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>,
Diane.Lebouthillier@cra-arc.gc.ca, Andrew.LeFrank@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca,
Andrew.Baumberg@cas-satj.gc.ca, "Ellen.Desmond"
<Ellen.Desmond@crtc.gc.ca>, Christian.Lorenz@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca,
Allison.St-Jean@tc.gc.ca, media@tc.gc.ca, hc.media.sc@canada.ca,
mary-liz.power@canada.ca, media@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca,
Chris.Lorenz@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, "christopher.rupar"
<christopher.rupar@justice.gc.ca>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/duty-to-document-nb-1.6608066

New Brunswick·CBC Investigates
How to keep secrets from the public: Don't write anything down


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/demara-tax-court-appeals-abuse-1.6608659

Judge slams CRA and Justice Department for 'egregious' conduct in epic
Tax Court battle


Decision likely to affect dozens of Canadians appealing gross
negligence penalties from tax agency

Jason Proctor · CBC News · Posted: Oct 07, 2022 4:00 AM PT |


A tax Court judge has slammed the Canada Revenue Agency for failing to
comply with pre-trial court rules and orders. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

A Tax Court judge has slammed the Canada Revenue Agency and the
Justice Department for "egregious" conduct that threatened to deny
three taxpayers the right to a fair trial in an epic battle over
millions of dollars worth of tax penalties.

In a scathing decision that could have widespread implications, Judge
Patrick Boyle found the CRA committed an "intentional and deliberate"
pattern of ignoring court rules to "frustrate" the right that all
Canadians have to get a full picture of an opponent's case before
heading to court.

The three taxpayers — a Manitoba psychiatrist, an Ontario nurse and a
B.C. Air Canada pilot — were appealing three million dollars' worth of
gross negligence penalties levelled against them, for rejected returns
filed through a pair of disgraced tax consultancy firms.

But after years of pre-trial delays resulting from the CRA's repeated
failure to comply with his orders, Boyle took the extraordinary
measure of allowing the appeals without having a trial on the merits
of the case this week, to "protect the integrity of the judicial
process."

    Canada Revenue Agency accused of blaming victims as 'gross
negligence' cases drag on

"I find the [CRA's] egregious approach to pre-trial discovery in these
appeals to prejudice all three appellants who have been denied," Boyle
wrote in his ruling.

"These abuses of the discovery process ... have caused considerable
delay and expense to three Appellants in respect of their appeals.
They have also led to an inefficient use of public resources financed
by all Canadians."
'With great power comes great responsibility'

Boyle's decision is the latest chapter in a saga that has seen
hundreds of Canadians slapped with gross negligence penalties after
filing returns through DeMara Consulting and Fiscal Arbitrators.

The principals of both companies were jailed for tax fraud for
promoting schemes Boyle says "resemble in many respects the
de-taxation practices of sovereign citizens, though with less of the
non-fiscal cultish aspects."
Hundreds of Canadians filed appeals in Tax Court after the CRA
levelled gross negligence penalties against them in association with
returns filed through a pair of disgraced tax consultancies. (Minichka
/ Shutterstock)

According to court records, B.C.-based DeMara's scheme was called "the
remedy" and essentially involved claiming personal expenditures and
debts as expenses and capital losses for a non-existent business.

Canada's Income Tax Act gives CRA the ability to levy penalties
against Canadians who make false statements and omissions on their tax
returns, either knowingly or under circumstances that amount to gross
negligence.

The penalties in the DeMara and Fiscal Arbitrators case have reached
into the millions, leading to a huge backlog of appeals that have been
making their way through tax court since 2013.

    Tax agency obtains 'jeopardy order' for debt from Downton
Abbey-loving billionaire

Jeff Pniowsky, the Winnipeg-based lawyer who represented all three
plaintiffs, said fighting a decade-long court battle with the threat
of financial ruin hanging over their heads has cost his clients "years
of happiness."

"This was fundamentally a case about justice. Justice for the
taxpayers who had to endure years of gamesmanship and chicanery by one
of Canada's most powerful institutions: the CRA," Pniowsky told the
CBC.

Pniowsky, who has four children, said Boyle's ruling reminded him of a
line from one of his family's favourite superhero movies: Spiderman.

"With great power comes great responsibility," he said.

"It's clear from this case that the CRA and the Justice Department
have lost sight of that common-sense principle."
'Unprepared, unco-operative or untruthful'

Boyle's detailed 53-page ruling goes through the history of the case,
and the circumstances that led to each of the orders he found the CRA
later ignored.

The fight centred on pre-trial discovery, and the rights of the
taxpayers to examine a CRA representative or "nominee" who was
"knowledgeable" about their case.
The CRA has the ability to levy gross negligence penalties against
taxpayers who lie on their income tax forms. The penalties have been
devastating for some. (Graeme Roy/The Canadian Press)

The first person the agency put forward was "unaware of any criminal
investigation and had not informed himself" about any involvement of
the CRA's criminal investigators in the case.

The second nominee was a lead criminal investigator who "did not even
inform himself ... whether any investigation was undertaken of any of
these three appellants."

At one point, Boyle called the investigator "thoroughly unprepared,
unco-operative or untruthful."

The judge said the CRA and its lawyers twisted the words of an order
that boiled down to a demand for the agency to hand over any documents
relating to any investigations that touched on the three appellants.

"I variously described this as 'outrageously misleading and
inappropriate,' 'this might be contemptuous,' ... 'deeply, deeply
disturbed,' 'highly inappropriate' and 'I don't think you were
reasonably mistaken,'" Boyle wrote.

    It is an ex-reference: B.C. judge removes 'dead parrot' joke from
class-action ruling

The judge also zeroed in on the CRA's failure to tell the defence that
the second page of a three-page "Investigation Abort Report" against
one of the plaintiffs had gone missing. The report was handed over in
the middle of hundreds of documents. The missing page explained why a
criminal investigation was dropped.

The CRA claimed it had no "specific obligation" to point out missing
pages — a position Boyle found "shocking."

"Courts do not consider discovery to be a game, and it is particularly
disappointing when the Crown is the offending party," the judge said.

He said the omission gave credence to the idea the CRA "is hiding
something from them, from the Court and from Canadians about how these
investigations have been conducted.
'Stop, or I'll yell stop again!'

The judge pointed out that the CRA is "represented by the Department
of Justice which is essentially Canada's largest national law firm and
employs a large number of tax litigation lawyers who are wholly
familiar" with the court's rules.

Boyle said making yet another order for compliance would be pointless.
The judge compared his battle to get the CRA to comply with his orders
to a skit by Monty Python, whose troupe members are seen here from
left to right: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham
Chapman, Michael Palin and Eric Idle. (PBS/Python (Monty) Pictures
Ltd./The Associated Press)

He was reminded of a skit by legendary English comedy troupe Monty Python.

"To make such an order would conjure up memories of the Pythonesque
skit of the British bobby of another era yelling at a scofflaw: 'Stop!
Stop!—Stop, or I'll yell 'stop' again!'" the judge wrote.

The three appeals were supposed to be the lead plaintiffs for a much
larger group of appeals. The judge said those people will have to
speak with their lawyers to determine how the ruling applies to them.

Pniowsky says he believes the decision is the first of its kind
against the CRA. He predicted fallout both in other DeMara and Fiscal
Arbitrators cases and in the wider world of tax litigation.

"Intoxicated with a sense of moral righteousness, the government
apparently determined or acted like these Canadians were not worthy of
basic procedural rights, thereby committing the same wrongs they
accused the taxpayers of: gross neglect, wilful blindness and at times
deceptive conduct," he said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Proctor

@proctor_jason

Jason Proctor is a reporter in British Columbia for CBC News and has
covered the B.C. courts and the justice system extensively.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices


https://www.tdslaw.com/lawyers/jeff-pniowsky/

Jeff Pniowsky

Jeff focuses his practice in the areas of tax litigation and dispute
resolution in the tax audit and appeals process, tax advisory
services, and complex commercial litigation.

(204) 934-2586
jdp@tdslaw.com

Winnipeg
(204) 934-0586


Profile

Jeff is a partner with TDS who focuses his practice in the areas of
tax litigation and dispute resolution in the tax audit and appeals
process, tax advisory services, as well as complex commercial
litigation.  Formerly a senior Tax Litigator with the Federal
Department of Justice acting on behalf of the Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA) for almost 10 years, Jeff now serves local and national clients
with a wealth of experience in litigating at all levels of both the
Provincial and Federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

His work has included challenges to complex tax avoidance techniques
involving large corporate transactions, international taxation and
interpretation of tax treaties.  Jeff has advised the Aggressive Tax
Planning Division of CRA involving some of the most significant tax
matters in the Prairie region.  He also sat on the National Tax
Avoidance committee for Justice Canada.

In addition, Jeff has extensive experience dealing with tax
enforcement and other regulatory compliance issues including
disclosure requirements and was a member of national Documentary
Requirements Committee.  He is also considered an authority on
solicitor and client privilege issues relating to documentary
disclosure, having litigated several matters in this area as well as
being called upon to act as an adjudicator in a privilege
determination.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2021 23:52:35 -0400
Subject: Diane.Lebouthillier and her old buddy John Ossowski should
remember my email and a couple of their own documents EH Madame
Desmond and Christian Lorenz ?
To: "Diane.Lebouthillier" <Diane.Lebouthillier@cra-arc.gc.ca>,
John.Ossowski@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, megan.maloney@crtc.gc.ca,
bell.regulatory@bell.ca, martine.turcotte@bell.ca, Newsroom
<Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Nathalie Sturgeon
<sturgeon.nathalie@brunswicknews.com>, "Nathalie.Drouin"
<Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>, Norman Traversy
<traversy.n@gmail.com>, jswaisland@landingslaw.com,
Andrew.LeFrank@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, Andrew.Baumberg@cas-satj.gc.ca
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Ellen.Desmond"
<Ellen.Desmond@crtc.gc.ca>, Christian.Lorenz@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca,
Allison.St-Jean@tc.gc.ca, media@tc.gc.ca, hc.media.sc@canada.ca,
mary-liz.power@canada.ca, media@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca,
Chris.Lorenz@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, "christopher.rupar"
<christopher.rupar@justice.gc.ca>


 ----- Original Message -----
 From: martine.turcotte@bell.ca
 To: motomaniac_02186@hotmail.com
 Cc: bcecomms@bce.ca ; W-Five@ctv.ca
 Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:28 AM
 Subject: RE: I am curious

 Mr. Amos, I confirm that I have received your documentation. There is
 no need to send us a hard copy. As you have said yourself, the
 documentation is very voluminous and after 3 days, we are still in the
 process of printing it. I have asked one of my lawyers to review it
 in my absence and report back to me upon my return in the office. We
 will then provide you with a reply.

 Martine Turcotte
 Chief Legal Officer / Chef principal du service juridique
 BCE Inc. / Bell Canada
 1000 de La Gauchetière ouest, bureau 3700
 Montréal (Qc) H3B 4Y7

 Tel: (514) 870-4637
 Fax: (514) 870-4877
 email: martine.turcotte@bell.ca

 Executive Assistant / Assistante à la haute direction: Diane Valade
 Tel: (514) 870-4638
 email: diane.valade@bell.ca



A copy of this letter and all related correspondence will be added to
the public record of the proceeding.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me
at (613) 697-4027 or megan.maloney@crtc.gc.ca.

In the meantime, the Commission is currently continuing its review of
this costs application.

Yours Sincerely,

originally signed by

Megan Maloney
Legal Counsel

PIAC Welcomes New Board Members

Adds Expertise in Telecommunications, Broadcasting and Class Actions

OTTAWA – The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), today announced
the recent election of four new directors to its Board, all experts in
either telecommunications, broadcasting or class actions:

    Konrad von Finckenstein is a lawyer and consultant based in
Ottawa. He was previously Chair of the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), an Honourable Justice of the
Federal Court of Canada and the Commissioner of Competition at the
Competition Bureau of Canada. In addition, he has held senior posts in
the Government of Canada in positions related to international trade,
telecommunications, competition and electronic commerce. Mr. von
Finckenstein has been elected as PIAC’s Chair of the Board.
    Suzanne Lamarre is a lawyer and engineer with the firm of
Therrien, Couture and is a former Commissioner of the CRTC. Maitre
Lamarre works in the areas of telecommunications, radiocommunications
and broadcasting law as a strategic advisor on regulatory and
governmental matters at both the national and international level.
    Monica Auer is a lawyer and the Executive Director of Canada’s
Forum for Research & Policy in Communications (FRPC), a non-partisan
organization focused on Canada’s communications system. She previously
worked at the CRTC and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Ms. Auer has been elected as PIAC’s Vice-Chair.
    Jonathan Schachter is a Toronto based lawyer with Sotos LLP, with
his practice areas including class actions, consumer protection
litigation, competition and price fixing, privacy litigation,
professional liability litigation, and trademarks and intellectual
property litigation and arbitration.

“PIAC’s extensive work on behalf of consumers before the CRTC requires
the utmost guidance and insight,” said John Lawford, Executive
Director and General Counsel of PIAC.  “We are therefore thrilled to
add to our Board persons with unparalleled experience to guide our
communications advocacy, as well as an expert in consumer class
actions as this sector becomes more litigious,” he added.

PIAC is a federally incorporated not-for-profit and registered charity
that advocates for consumer interests, and in particular vulnerable
consumer interests, in the provision of important public services.
PIAC is known for its representation of consumer, low-income and
seniors groups before the CRTC, arguing for better services, more
choice and consumer protection for customers of Internet, wireless,
telephone and broadcasting services.

For more information, please contact:

John Lawford
Executive Director and General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
(613) 562-4002 ×25

> http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2017/02/re-fatca-nafta-tpp-etc-attn-president.html
>
> Tuesday, 14 February 2017
>
> RE FATCA, NAFTA & TPP etc ATTN President Donald J. Trump I just got
> off the phone with your lawyer Mr Cohen (646-853-0114) Why does he lie
> to me after all this time???
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Michael Cohen <mcohen@trumporg.com>
> Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:15:14 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: RE FATCA ATTN Pierre-Luc.Dusseault I just
> called and left a message for you
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal
> counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be
> directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be
> directed to 646-853-0114.
> ________________________________
> This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate
> thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity.
> This email may contain information that is confidential and/or
> proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used,
> copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended
> recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have
> received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and
> promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed
> to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted,
> corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses
> or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not
> guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for
> any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in
> any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
> represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its
> affiliates.Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an
> electronic signature under applicable law.
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Min.Mail / Courrier.Min (CRA/ARC)" <PABMINMAILG@cra-arc.gc.ca>
> Date: Wed, 24 May 2017 13:10:52 +0000
> Subject: Your various correspondence about abusive tax schemes - 2017-02631
> To: "motomaniac333@gmail.com" <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Mr. David Raymond Amos
> motomaniac333@gmail.com
>
>
> Dear Mr. Amos:
>
> Thank you for your various correspondence about abusive tax schemes,
> and for your understanding regarding the delay of this response.
>
> This is an opportunity for me to address your concerns about the way
> the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) deals with aggressive tax planning,
> tax avoidance, and tax evasion by targeting individuals and groups
> that promote schemes intended to avoid payment of tax. It is also an
> opportunity for me to present the Government of Canada’s main
> strategies for ensuring fairness for all taxpayers.
>
> The CRA’s mission is to preserve the integrity of Canada’s tax system,
> and it is taking concrete and effective action to deal with abusive
> tax schemes. Through federal budget funding in 2016 and 2017, the
> government has committed close to $1 billion in cracking down on tax
> evasion and combatting tax avoidance at home and through the use of
> offshore transactions. This additional funding is expected to generate
> federal revenues of $2.6 billion over five years for Budget 2016, and
> $2.5 billion over five years for Budget 2017.
>
> More precisely, the CRA is cracking down on tax cheats by hiring more
> auditors, maintaining its underground economy specialist teams,
> increasing coverage of aggressive goods and service tax/harmonized
> sales tax planning, increasing coverage of multinational corporations
> and wealthy individuals, and taking targeted actions aimed at
> promoters of abusive tax schemes.
>
> On the offshore front, the CRA continues to develop tools to improve
> its focus on high‑risk taxpayers. It is also considering changes to
> its Voluntary Disclosures Program following the first set of program
> recommendations received from an independent Offshore Compliance
> Advisory Committee. In addition, the CRA is leading international
> projects to address the base erosion and profit shifting initiative of
> the G20 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
> Development, and is collaborating with treaty partners to address the
> Panama Papers leaks.
>
> These actions are evidence of the government’s commitment to
> protecting tax fairness. The CRA has strengthened its intelligence and
> technical capacities for the early detection of abusive tax
> arrangements and deterrence of those who participate in them. To
> ensure compliance, it has increased the number of actions aimed at
> promoters who use illegal schemes. These measures include increased
> audits of such promoters, improved information gathering, criminal
> investigations where warranted, and better communication with
> taxpayers.
>
> To deter potential taxpayer involvement in these schemes, the CRA is
> increasing notifications and warnings through its communications
> products. It also seeks partnerships with tax preparers, accountants,
> and community groups so that they can become informed observers who
> can educate their clients.
>
> The CRA will assess penalties against promoters and other
> representatives who make false statements involving illegal tax
> schemes. The promotion of tax schemes to defraud the government can
> lead to criminal investigations, fingerprinting, criminal prosecution,
> court fines, and jail time.
>
> Between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2016, the CRA’s criminal
> investigations resulted in the conviction of 42 Canadian taxpayers for
> tax evasion with links to money and assets held offshore. In total,
> the $34 million in evaded taxes resulted in court fines of $12 million
> and 734 months of jail time.
>
> When deciding to pursue compliance actions through the courts, the CRA
> consults the Department of Justice Canada to choose an appropriate
> solution. Complex tax-related litigation is costly and time consuming,
> and the outcome may be unsuccessful. All options to recover amounts
> owed are considered.
>
> More specifically, in relation to the KPMG Isle of Man tax avoidance
> scheme, publicly available court records show that it is through the
> CRA’s efforts that the scheme was discovered. The CRA identified many
> of the participants and continues to actively pursue the matter. The
> CRA has also identified at least 10 additional tax structures on the
> Isle of Man, and is auditing taxpayers in relation to these
> structures.
>
> To ensure tax fairness, the CRA commissioned an independent review in
> March 2016 to determine if it had acted appropriately concerning KPMG
> and its clients. In her review, Ms. Kimberley Brooks, Associate
> Professor and former Dean of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie
> University, examined the CRA’s operational processes and decisions in
> relation to the KPMG offshore tax structure and its efforts to obtain
> the names of all taxpayers participating in the scheme. Following this
> review, the report, released on May 5, 2016, concluded that the CRA
> had acted appropriately in its management of the KPMG Isle of Man
> file. The report found that the series of compliance measures the CRA
> took were in accordance with its policies and procedures. It was
> concluded that the procedural actions taken on the KPMG file were
> appropriate given the facts of this particular case and were
> consistent with the treatment of taxpayers in similar situations. The
> report concluded that actions by CRA employees were in accordance with
> the CRA’s Code of Integrity and Professional Conduct. There was no
> evidence of inappropriate interaction between KPMG and the CRA
> employees involved in the case.
>
> Under the CRA’s Code of Integrity and Professional Conduct, all CRA
> employees are responsible for real, apparent, or potential conflicts
> of interests between their current duties and any subsequent
> employment outside of the CRA or the Public Service of Canada.
> Consequences and corrective measures play an important role in
> protecting the CRA’s integrity.
>
> The CRA takes misconduct very seriously. The consequences of
> misconduct depend on the gravity of the incident and its repercussions
> on trust both within and outside of the CRA. Misconduct can result in
> disciplinary measures up to dismissal.
>
> All forms of tax evasion are illegal. The CRA manages the Informant
> Leads Program, which handles leads received from the public regarding
> cases of tax evasion across the country. This program, which
> coordinates all the leads the CRA receives from informants, determines
> whether there has been any non-compliance with tax law and ensures
> that the information is examined and conveyed, if applicable, so that
> compliance measures are taken. This program does not offer any reward
> for tips received.
>
> The new Offshore Tax Informant Program (OTIP) has also been put in
> place. The OTIP offers financial compensation to individuals who
> provide information related to major cases of offshore tax evasion
> that lead to the collection of tax owing. As of December 31, 2016, the
> OTIP had received 963 calls and 407 written submissions from possible
> informants. Over 218 taxpayers are currently under audit based on
> information the CRA received through the OTIP.
>
> With a focus on the highest-risk sectors nationally and
> internationally and an increased ability to gather information, the
> CRA has the means to target taxpayers who try to hide their income.
> For example, since January 2015, the CRA has been collecting
> information on all international electronic funds transfers (EFTs) of
> $10,000 or more ending or originating in Canada. It is also adopting a
> proactive approach by focusing each year on four jurisdictions that
> raise suspicion. For the Isle of Man, the CRA audited 3,000 EFTs
> totalling $860 million over 12 months and involving approximately 800
> taxpayers. Based on these audits, the CRA communicated with
> approximately 350 individuals and 400 corporations and performed 60
> audits.
>
> In January 2017, I reaffirmed Canada’s important role as a leader for
> tax authorities around the world in detecting the structures used for
> aggressive tax planning and tax evasion. This is why Canada works
> daily with the Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre
> (JITSIC), a network of tax administrations in over 35 countries. The
> CRA participates in two expert groups within the JITSIC and leads the
> working group on intermediaries and proponents. This ongoing
> collaboration is a key component of the CRA’s work to develop strong
> relationships with the international community, which will help it
> refine the world-class tax system that benefits all Canadians.
>
> The CRA is increasing its efforts and is seeing early signs of
> success. Last year, the CRA recovered just under $13 billion as a
> result of its audit activities on the domestic and offshore fronts.
> Two-thirds of these recoveries are the result of its audit efforts
> relating to large businesses and multinational companies.
>
> But there is still much to do, and additional improvements and
> investments are underway.
>
> Tax cheats are having a harder and harder time hiding. Taxpayers who
> choose to promote or participate in malicious and illegal tax
> strategies must face the consequences of their actions. Canadians
> expect nothing less. I invite you to read my most recent statement on
> this matter at canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/2017/03/
> statement_from_thehonourabledianelebouthillierministerofnational.
>
> Thank you for taking the time to write. I hope the information I have
> provided is helpful.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier
> Minister of National Revenue
>
>

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A 47-year mortgage? They're out there — and even longer ones could be coming

Banking regulator says about $250B worth of home loans are either currently or soon to be negatively amortized

This month, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions will unveil new capital adequacy guidelines for banks and mortgage insurers. Among the expected changes will be some aimed at reining in a surge of negative amortized loans.

About one out of every five home loans at three big Canadian banks are now negatively amortizing, which happens when years get added to the payment term of the original loan because the monthly payments are no longer enough to cover anything but the interest.

On a standard 25-year home loan, under normal circumstances, a certain percentage of the mortgage payment goes to the bank in the form of interest, while another chunk is allocated toward paying down the principal. That way, as the borrower makes their payments, they owe less and less money over time.

But because of the large and rapid run-up in interest rates in the last year and a half, that balance has been thrown out of whack.

It happened to Michael Girard-Courty. He bought a duplex in Joliette, Que., last year on a 25-year, variable rate loan. The monthly payment was well within his budget, at $1,156. But since he signed on the dotted line, the Bank of Canada has hiked interest rates multiple times, which means that more and more of his payment is allocated toward interest — not toward paying down the loan at the pace he'd planned.

WATCH | Homeowner regrets decision to go variable: 
 

Rate hikes gobble up every penny of household spending

Duration 0:55
Rabia Shumayal of Mississauga, Ont. has seen her mortgage rate go from 1.9% to above 5% this year, which has forced her to cut out basically all other spending for her family.

As things stand now, "only $23 goes to pay the capital of my mortgage and the rest is all in interest," he told CBC News in an interview. "And my mortgage went from 25 years to 47."

While he hopes to be able to change that, either through lower rates or higher payment amounts, the investment he bought in the hopes of accelerating his retirement has quickly turned into a liability that's on track to stick around for longer than he'd planned to work.

"It's not a fun situation and I never expected to be in it," he said. "I don't know how it's going to end up."

Homeowner Michael Girard-Courty stands in front of his house. Michael Girard-Courty bought a duplex in Joliette, Que., last year. In less than a year, his mortgage has ballooned from 25 years to 47. (Emiliano Bazan/CBC)

He's not the only one in this predicament. Exact numbers are hard to come by, but regulatory filings from Canada's biggest banks show negative amortized loans make up a large and growing pile of debt. Roughly one fifth of the mortgages on the books at BMO, TD and CIBC were in negative amortization territory last quarter. 

That's almost $130 billion of housing debt where, instead of a standard 25-year loan, the mortgage is stretched out over 35, 40 or more years. And with roughly 100,000 mortgages coming up for renewal in Canada every month, more are likely on the way.

 Mortgage broker Patrick Betu in his office.Mortgage broker Patrick Betu thinks rules that allow for so many negative amortization loans need to be updated. (Philippe de Montigny/CBC)

Patrick Betu, a mortgage broker in Ottawa, says it's an "alarming situation" and one that needs to be addressed.

Betu says none of his clients have negatively amortizing loans, in large part because he's been recommending short-term, fixed rate loans to ride out the current volatility.

"Obviously we do not have a crystal ball so we can't really say whether or not mortgage rates will come down anytime soon, but that's basically the situation with my clients," he said.

Some lenders limit the possibility of negative amortizations by either requiring borrowers to come up with lump sum payments when their payment mix nears the limit, or switching them to a fixed rate loan with higher but steady payments.

Two other big Canadian banks, Royal Bank and Scotiabank, do exactly that, which is why they're in a different situation.

"We do not originate mortgage products with a structure that would result in negative amortization, as payments on variable rate mortgages automatically increase to ensure accrued interest is covered," RBC said in its most recent report to shareholders.

(Despite that, almost a quarter of the mortgages on the books at RBC are amortized for more than 35 years. At TD it's 22 per cent, at BMO it's 18 and at CIBC it's 19, while at Scotiabank, less than 1 per cent of the banks' Canadian home loan book is for longer than 35 years, Scotia recently revealed.)

Betu is among those who thinks variable rate loans with fixed payments that lead to negative amortizations shouldn't be allowed at all, and he hopes the new rules will crack down on them. 

At a recent news conference, the head of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Peter Routledge, poured cold water on the notion that any sort of "crackdown" was coming, but said the forthcoming guidelines are aimed at reducing the risk these loans present to the financial system in the aggregate.

"The risk concentration is not high enough to give us severe concerns ... but if you [asked] me five years ago if I would want a problem this size, no." he said. "I think both banks, financial institutions and borrowers would be better off if the prevalence of this product was less."

WATCH | High interest rates push homeowners into longer debt: 
 

Interest rates pushed his mortgage from 25 to 47 years

Duration 2:09
About one in five variable rate mortgage holders at three major banks are now in 'negative amortization' — where the time it takes to pay off the home loan is getting longer. It's causing concern with regulators who plan to reign in the type of loan that allows it. One man saw his repayment period go from 25 to 47 years.

Routledge says there's approximately $250 billion worth of mortgages in Canada that are currently amortized for 35 years or longer, which is a decent proxy for a loan that's either already longer than originally planned, or will be soon.

That's about 12 per cent of Canada's total mortgage debt of just over $2.1 trillion — "not small, not huge either [but] manageable," Routledge said.

But he did acknowledge it's a problem, and the guidelines to be published this month "will begin to discuss how we might address that and how we might put in place a little bit more regulatory oversight to make this product a little bit less prevalent."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Pete Evans

Senior Business Writer

Pete Evans is the senior business writer for CBCNews.ca. Prior to coming to the CBC, his work has appeared in the Globe & Mail, the Financial Post, the Toronto Star, and Canadian Business Magazine. Twitter: @p_evans Email: pete.evans@cbc.ca

With files from Radio-Canada's Philippe de Montigny

 

https://twitter.com/armstrongcbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor 

Peter Armstrong
@armstrongcbc
CBC News. Subscribe to my newsletter cbc.ca/mindyourbusine
Media & Newscbc.ca/mindyourbusine…Born September 14
Joined July 2011

 

 

Alarm bells are ringing: What markets are trying to warn us about the economy

Economic data has been resilient, but financial markets don't believe the numbers

"The alarm bells are telling us that something is going to break somewhere in the financial system," said Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay, a foreign exchange service in Toronto.

Stock markets have sold off over the past three months. Since the beginning of July, the TSX wiped out all of the gains it made in the first half of the year.

U.S. stock indexes, such as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, have remained in positive territory, but not by much.

Those markets reflect a doomy prognosis that isn't necessarily backed up by the economic data.


GDP and jobs numbers have shown a surprising resilience. The most recent figures indicate that the economy was flat in July, while a preliminary estimate shows it expanded again in August. 

Canadian employers added 64,000 jobs in September.

That's a far cry from the forecast of a recession through the third quarter of this year.

But Schamotta says that surprising resilience doesn't negate the fact that Canadian households and businesses are in the midst of the most aggressive cycle of interest rate hikes this country has ever seen.

"We know historically when borrowing costs have risen this much that that stresses some part of the financial system — and as Warren Buffett likes to put it, when the tide goes out, suddenly we see who's swimming naked," he told CBC News.

Why the bond market matters

Stock markets are a notoriously volatile, fickle way of guessing where the economy is headed. The bond market is much bigger and far less whimsical.

And this week the bond market started flashing red.

Stock markets, where investors buy ownership slices of companies, get all of the attention, but the bond market — where companies and governments go to borrow billions of dollars each and every day — is a much more fascinating gauge for smart prognosticators like Schamotta.

Investors have been selling older bonds in exchange for newer ones that pay more. That bond sell-off has driven down the price of those bonds, but the yield — the percentage return that you'd get from holding them — has moved sharply higher.

On Friday, the yields on 10-year Treasury bills in the United States surged more than 15 basis points to 4.89 per cent. The five year Canadian government bond saw its yield jump 20 basis points to 4.42 per cent.

David Rosenberg, founder and president of Toronto-based Rosenberg Research, says U.S. Treasuries with maturities of 10 years or more have plunged 46 per cent in value since 2020 — all while disposable incomes (when adjusted for inflation) have fallen into negative territory.

WATCH | Interest rates extended his variable-rate mortgage from 25 to 47 years: 
 

Interest rates pushed his mortgage from 25 to 47 years

Duration 2:09
About one in five variable rate mortgage holders at three major banks are now in 'negative amortization' — where the time it takes to pay off the home loan is getting longer. It's causing concern with regulators who plan to reign in the type of loan that allows it. One man saw his repayment period go from 25 to 47 years.

"These are crazy times, my friends," Rosenberg wrote in a note to clients. "Real disposable incomes are down three months in a row." And they're on pace to fall by 1.7 per cent this year.

"The only reason spending has yet to follow suit is because of prior fiscal stimulus which has ended, and the boom in credit card usage."

The bond market matters in all of this because it sets the price of money. And as everyone knows, Canadians took on a ton of debt over the past decade.

Schamotta says if you combine household, corporate and government debt in Canada, it is now more than four times the size of our entire economy.

"That's far beyond anything we had reached before," he said. "But it's also among the highest debt loads in the world. We are not the prudent Canadians that the world thinks we are."

The problem, of course, is that much of that debt was taken on at record-low interest levels.

Economy sending 'mixed signals'

Spiking bond yields means investors are starting to think that high interest rates are going to stick around a lot longer than was previously thought, and they're demanding to be paid more for the risk of lending out their money.

Still, some economists say it's important to differentiate between financial markets and actual economic data.

A financial trader monitors data on computer screens on the trading floor inside the Amsterdam Stock Exchange Economic data has come in stronger than expected, but investors don't seem to share in the optimism that the economy can avoid a recession. Canadian households and businesses are in the midst of the most aggressive cycle of interest rate hikes this country has ever seen. (Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg)

"It looks like the economy still has quite a lot of steam to get us through this period without falling off a cliff and getting into a recession," said Tu Nguyen, an economist in Toronto with the accounting and consultancy firm RSM Canada.

She is now forecasting that the Canadian economy will stick a sort of "soft landing."

A soft landing is a scenario in which gross domestic product and job growth slow enough to tame inflation without forcing the economy to slip into a recession. It would be a remarkable needle to thread after years of the COVID-19 economic catastrophe, soaring inflation and rising interest rates.

Nguyen admits that the economy has been rife with contradictions.

A woman with black hair, wearing dark-rimmed eyeglasses and a teal-coloured sweater, sits in an office near a window.   Tu Nguyen, an economist in Toronto with the accounting and consultancy firm RSM Canada, is forecasting that the Canadian economy will stick a sort of 'soft landing' in which a recession is avoided. (Alison Northcott/CBC)

"It is a little confusing because it seems like we're seeing mixed signals, and I think we'll continue to see that," she told CBC News.

But she maintains that the "real economy" (GDP, jobs and inflation numbers) are increasingly painting a healthier picture than expected, and she says that's a better reflection of what's going on in the economy than markets betting they know what's going to happen next.

But if the economy has had one characteristic over these past years, it's been the ability to surprise everyone.


 
 
 
 

The bad economic times have only just started

Is Canada already in a recession? We should get a good indication this week

"The path forward looks bleak," Tiago Figueiredo, a macro strategy associate with Desjardins, said in a note.

For a while there, the economy proved more resilient than expected. The Bank of Canada's interest rate hikes piled up one after another. Even so, the jobs market boomed, GDP continued to expand.

But economic pain was inevitable. Soaring inflation has eroded purchasing power, and climbing interest rates have clobbered households. Now, cracks have begun to appear in the data, and economists expect those cracks to grow. GDP contracted in the second quarter of this year.

Next week, new data is expected to show economic growth flat-lined in July and perhaps contracted again in August. Some of that can be chalked up to specific factors, including labour actions like the port strike in B.C. or wildfires.

But before any of that, momentum was clearing being sapped out of the Canadian economy.


That would put Canada on track for two consecutive quarters of negative growth, which would meet the technical definition of a recession.

Frances Donald, the global chief economist and strategist at Manulife Investment Management, says we should spend less time debating what to call this downturn and focus more on how it will impact people.

"Even if there are technical factors that avert two quarters of negative GDP, this economy will feel like a recession to most Canadians, for the next year," she told CBC News.

How bad are things, really?

Experts say there are several factors masking just how bad the economy really is. The first is that it usually takes about a year and a half for the full impact of interest rate changes to get absorbed into the economy. 

The Bank of Canada began its rate-hiking cycle 17 months ago. That means the impact of the fastest, most aggressive interest rate hiking cycle in Canadian history is still to come. 

Second, consumption patterns changed during the pandemic and haven't fully reverted to normal, predictable ways that make economic modelling easier. During pandemic lockdowns, Canadians bought a lot of "stuff." We snatched up electronics, gym equipment, household wares. Now, those same households are primarily spending on experiences. 

So, retail sales figures just released show an uptick in July but a slowdown in August. How much of that is seasonal or cyclical isn't as easy to determine when all of these other factors are pushing and pulling consumers in different directions.

"Discretionary consumer spending is getting held back by inflation and surging borrowing costs. Another sign of sluggish growth for the Canadian economy while the Bank of Canada, at the same time, grapples with above-target inflation," Robert Kavcic, senior economist at BMO, wrote in a note to clients.

Hovering above all of the numbers and all of the changes is an unprecedented surge in immigration. More than a million people moved to Canada last year alone. That has driven consumption but masked some underlying weaknesses.

Donald says all of those factors have combined to make the economy look healthier than it really is.

"We are in the moment between when the Titanic hit the iceberg, but the ship has not sunk. When it seems as though we've experienced a shock, but not a problematic one," Donald said.

"The good news is that, unlike the Titanic, we can heal the economy if we need to by lowering interest rates."

Where are interest rates headed?

The Bank of Canada paused its series of rate hikes earlier this month. But the central bank said that was contingent on seeing further progress in the fight to rein in inflation.


Since then, inflation came in much hotter than anyone expected. And this time it wasn't just gasoline and mortgage interest costs. The so-called core measures of inflation, which strip out the more volatile components, such as the price of gas, all rose or held their ground.

Derek Holt, vice-president and head of Capital Markets Economics at Scotiabank, says the breadth of the price pressures in August is "astounding." He says 52 per cent of the consumer price index basket is up by four per cent month over month at a seasonally adjusted annual rate. Nearly two-thirds is up by more than three per cent.

He says the recent data challenges the most basic assumptions people have been making about the economy.

"Inflation's cooling, they say. It's only gasoline and mortgage interest costs that are driving it, they say. The government's (rather unclear) 'plan' is working, they say. The Bank of Canada is obviously done raising rates, they say. All of which is complete, utter, rubbish," he said in a note to clients. 

Holt says the re-acceleration in last month's inflation data "definitely ups the odds of a rate hike" when the central bank meets again in October.


In a speech this week, Bank of Canada deputy governor Sharon Kozicki highlighted the dilemma the central bank is facing.

'We are a long way from rate cuts'

"We know that if we don't do enough now, we will likely have to do even more later. And that if we tighten too much, we risk unnecessarily hurting the economy," she told a luncheon in Regina.

She said some volatility in inflation was "not uncommon," that past rate hikes "will continue to weigh" on economic activity.

None of that is new. The central bank has spent much of the last year and a half talking about balancing the risk between doing too much and causing more pain than was necessary and doing too little and letting inflation get entrenched.

But economists such as Donald say there's been a shift as the bank begins to think about when and how it will have to start looking at bringing rates back down to ease the burden on households.

"We are a long way from rate cuts," she said. "But you could see the off-ramp in the very far distance. And the Bank of Canada is trying to widen that off ramp to give them some optionality" should they need it.

She's forecasting rates will start to come down again during the first half of next year.

"But for a lot of Canadians, there's ... a lot of pain to get through," Donald said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior Business reporter for CBC News. A former host of On the Money and World Report on CBC Radio, Peter Armstrong has been a foreign correspondent and parliamentary reporter for CBC. Subscribe to Peter's newsletter here: cbc.ca/mindyourbusiness Twitter: @armstrongcbc

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

 

If you don't like inflation, you'll hate deflation

When prices fall companies must cut costs — including wages

After a two-year bout of inflation — when price rises peaked at eight per cent, groceries climbed at more than 11 per cent, and the cost of housing left well-paid professionals feeling poor — it is natural to be nostalgic for the days when everything was cheap.

"People hate inflation. Hate it," said U.S. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday. "That causes people to say the economy's terrible."

Powell was announcing that the central bank would hold interest rates steady — contrary to the advice of some, including OECD chief economist Claire Lombardelli.

He insisted that a soft landing for the economy remains a primary goal for the Fed. And while getting inflation under control comes first, Powell repeatedly said a long and strong series of rate hikes has given the central bank the luxury of moving slowly to avoid breaking things. 

WATCH | Inflation up 4% in August:
 

Inflation up again, raising fears of another interest rate hike

Duration 1:51
A rise in gas prices is driving Canada's inflation rate higher. Statistics Canada reports the annual inflation rate rose to four per cent in August, beating many economists' expectations and raising the possibility of another interest rate hike.
 

But just as three years ago, when most analysts assumed inflation was unlikely or impossible, a new minority view is a warning about its evil twin: deflation.

Where economists differ from many of us is when we think that a general decline of prices is a good thing. Most economists say that while disinflation — the fall of inflation toward some reasonable level such as Powell's two per cent target — is an unmitigated good, an actual decline in prices across the board, deflation, is perilous for the economy. 

You shouldn't ask for it. 

There are several reasons, but essentially, while economists see a little bit of inflation as a lubricant to help in the necessary process of price adjustment, deflation is like putting sand in the gears. 

The prospect of falling prices encourages consumers and businesses to put off purchases because they will be cheaper if they wait, sucking money out of circulation in the economy. 

Bank of Canada deputy governor Sharon Kozicki said this week in her Regina speech, rising interest rates have a similar effect. 

"Instead of purchasing something now, you could earn interest on your savings, make the purchase in the future and end up with some money left over," she said. But with deflation that reluctance to spend becomes even more widespread.

A for sale sign outside a house in Toronto     A house is for sale in Toronto in the fall of 2021. The recent rise in the cost of housing has left even well-paid professionals feeling poor. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Falling prices also mean companies must cut costs including wages or go broke. While workers will put up with wage hikes slightly below inflation — as we have seen over the last few years — wage cuts stoke anger and are difficult to impose, often leading to contraction and mass layoffs.

According to Gary Tanashian, an analyst with a large following for his newsletter Notes From the Rabbit Hole, the current Goldilocks state of the North American economy — where things are not too hot and not too cold — is unlikely to last through 2024.

Tanashian is one of those who think the surge in interest rates needed to battle soaring prices has been overdone and that its lagging effects will turn "Goldilocks into a deflationary liquidation," he said, writing on the market website Seeking Alpha.

But he also hedges his bets, saying the result might only be stagflation — an unusual combination of a lifeless economy and steady inflation — or some other gloomy outcome.

Avoiding the vicious circle

For borrowers, while inflation gradually erodes the value of borrowed money as wages grow with inflation, deflation makes cash more valuable, making everyone's existing loans a heavier burden, discouraging borrowing. Sitting on inactive cash makes you richer.

And, as Tanashian implies in his gloomy warning, deflation can result in general market decline which can create a vicious circle of more declines.

WATCH | Poilievre presses Trudeau: 
 

Poilievre presses Trudeau on rising cost of living

Duration 2:44
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre demanded answers on rising inflation rates from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Commons and said the PM is 'not worth the cost.' Trudeau countered that his government 'is there for Canadians.'

While most commentators agree with Powell and see deflation as inconceivable, it is useful to be reminded why we do not want it.

Powell has made it clear this week and in the past how important it is to prevent another outbreak of inflation. Raising rates sharply when inflation was at its peak was a relatively easy choice. But accidentally pushing the economy from disinflation into deflation would be an appalling alternative. 

"Given how far we've come with our rate hikes and how quickly we've got there, we do have the ability to be careful as we move forward," he said Wednesday.

Much of this conflicts with the view, widely expressed in some form by commentators and political leaders of all stripes, that Canadians will benefit if the prices of things like groceries and houses would only go back to the levels they were at in the good old days, say, before the pandemic, so that people could afford them.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, for example, complained in a speech this week that the cost of lettuce was up 94 per cent, a price jump since 2020 approximately backed up by this week's Statistics Canada inflation data. 

"Will lettuce be back down to its original price by Thanksgiving?" he asked with a rhetorical flourish, scoffing at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plan to cut grocery prices.

"Will carrots back to their original price by Thanksgiving?"

But despite the popular appeal of lower prices — everyone likes a bargain — the safe way to find that precious soft landing is not to make prices fall, but to gently coax them into a slower rate of increase.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Don Pittis

Business columnist

Based in Toronto, Don Pittis is a business columnist and senior producer for CBC News. Previously, he was a forest firefighter, and a ranger in Canada's High Arctic islands. After moving into journalism, he was principal business reporter for Radio Television Hong Kong before the handover to China. He has produced and reported for the CBC in Saskatchewan and Toronto and the BBC in London.

 
 
 

Spooked by polls, Liberal MPs hope Trudeau hears their concerns as caucus gathers

Caucus members want to settle on strategy to counter Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's attacks

The Liberals are holding three days of meetings starting Tuesday in London, Ont., a key battleground region of southwestern Ontario, as their party faces its worst polling numbers since forming government in 2015.

The talks are set to focus on making housing more affordable and increasing supply, improving health care and fighting climate change, according to a senior government source.

Ahead of the gathering, several MPs told CBC News they don't feel the prime minister listens to their views or solicits their advice.

CBC News spoke to more than a dozen MPs and granted some confidentiality so that they could speak freely. They said they plan to use the next few days to urge the prime minister, his office and cabinet to offer a fresh plan to Canadians on the top issues of the day — because many don't believe the government's current communication strategy is working.

Some said they also want a plan to respond to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party held its policy convention in Quebec City over the weekend.

Some, including members of cabinet, were willing to speak openly about the choices facing the government.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the Liberals are torn over how to counter what he called Poilievre's "garbage" attacks.

"There's a tension as to how to engage ... whether you fight fire with fire and bring yourself down to a level of politics that you yourself have sworn to your electors you would never engage," Miller said.

"There is a struggle and attention generally as to how to deal with a person like that, that Canadian politics, in particular, hasn't seen much of."

A man in a suit stands on a stage with his fist slightly raised, a Canadian flag hangs in the background. Many Liberal MPs want their party to take a more aggressive stance against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Sean Casey, Liberal MP for Charlottetown, said the Liberals need to respond to Poilievre in a measured, thoughtful way that shows humility, without engaging in rage-driven attacks.

"Pretty much anything that he [Poilievre] talks about in connection with the economy ignores global conditions, ignores the impact of geopolitics," he said.

"He would have you believe that emissions aren't going down when in fact they are, and would have you believe that a big part of the increase in cost of living is the price on pollution, which it isn't."

Casey and many other Liberals MPs said they don't know why their party allowed the Conservatives to rebrand Poilievre without offering a stronger counter-narrative. 

"The strategy behind how aggressively to go after (Poilievre) is one that isn't made in rooms to which I'm invited," Casey said.

'Perfect storm of challenges' facing Liberals 

A recent survey by Abacus Data put the Conservatives ahead of the Liberals by 14 points nationally, in clear majority government territory — the biggest gap yet between Trudeau's Liberals and the Conservatives.

Many MPs said they're spooked by the data. A presentation to the Ontario caucus over the summer by David Coletto, Abacus data's chair and CEO, made their anxiety worse, said one Liberal source.

Caucus members invited Coletto to give data presentations to every regional caucus except Quebec. 

He spoke to the Liberal Atlantic caucus last week and is scheduled to meet the Pacific caucus in London on Wednesday morning.

Coletto said he's telling MPs that if an election were called today, the Liberals probably would lose. 

"Their reaction to that isn't great," Coletto told CBC News.

Coletto said the main drivers of the polling trend are angst caused by the cost of living, record high inflation and rising interest rates.

His polling found young Canadians who helped give the Liberals their majority in 2015 are less likely to say they'd vote Liberal now.

David Coletto is the chair and CEO of Abacus Data. Regional Liberal caucuses have asked David Coletto, chair and CEO of Abacus Data, to give independent presentations about how their party is polling. (Blair Gable/Abacus Data)

Coletto said the Liberals' messaging focuses too much on what they've done in the past and not enough on what's next.

He said the situation is creating what he called a "perfect storm of challenges" for Trudeau and his party. 

"People have lost faith in him, and at no point since he's been elected prime minister [have] his personal numbers been as low as they are now," Coletto said.

The summer cabinet shuffle had no positive effect on Liberal support.

"I'm very worried for the country and I'm very worried for the party," Casey said.

An election call isn't expected soon and could be as far off as two years. Casey said he thinks that the more the spotlight shines on Trudeau's adversary, the less excited the electorate will be about Poilievre.

But Casey said the Liberals can't count on that or assume that falling interest rates and inflation will turn their fortunes around.

Caucus members who spoke to CBC News said they are discussing Trudeau's leadership — but they highly doubt anyone will raise the issue at the national caucus in a formal way.

Improving communication key priority for Liberal MPs

Many MPs say they still believe Trudeau is their best asset, even if he's one voters have grown tired with.

"The worst thing that we can do is have a divided caucus or one that's talking about a lack of confidence in the leader," Casey said.

WATCH | Poilievre tells Conservative party faithful he's ready for the next election: 
 

Poilievre tells Conservative party faithful he's ready for the next election

Duration 3:49
Pierre Poilievre delivered the keynote address at the Conservative party’s first policy convention since he was elected leader. He used the opportunity to hammer the Liberal government on affordability and lay out what he expects to do if he wins the next election.

Several caucus members said they believe Poilievre has an advantage in the way he promotes his policies. 

The Conservative pitch to "axe the tax," can be easily understood in seconds, while the Liberals' carbon tax rebate can take several minutes to explain, one MP said.

Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin said many people in Atlantic Canada still aren't clear on how the rebate works. 

"It's a bit frustrating to think that it hasn't been landing the way we want it to," Atwin said.

"It's a bit perplexing … because this is a policy that we ran on."

Jenica Atwin is the Liberal MP for Fredericton. Fredericton Liberal MP Jenica Atwin said the federal government needs to do a better job of communicating policies like the carbon tax rebate. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)

Toronto-area MP Julie Dzerowicz said she's particularly alarmed when she sees a poll that says the Liberal government doesn't have an economic or environmental plan.

"That literally makes my heart fall," said Dzerowicz, who represents the riding of Davenport. She's put her name forward to address the caucus on housing policy.

"What I would love coming out of our national caucus is that there's a message that goes to Canadians that indicates that we are seized with this issue," she said.

B.C. MP Ken Hardie said he wants a candid discussion on how to improve the mechanisms that support Trudeau and his communication strategy.

"We would want to see positive, thoughtful and considerate recognition of the things that we bring up and a willingness to engage with us," said Hardie, who represents the riding of Fleetwood—Port Kells.

The Liberals' polling numbers could shift, said Coletto — either gradually, in response to changes in government policy, or suddenly, in reply to some seismic event like Trudeau's resignation.

"That would cause Canadians to reset their own thinking, and to look at the government and the future in a very different light," he said.

Still, he added, changing leaders wouldn't guarantee success since most of the potential Liberal candidates are not household names.

"There's no easy answer," Coletto said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Olivia Stefanovich

Senior reporter

Olivia Stefanovich is a senior reporter for CBC's Parliamentary Bureau based in Ottawa. She previously worked in Toronto, Saskatchewan and northern Ontario. Connect with her on Twitter at @CBCOlivia. Story tips welcome: olivia.stefanovich@cbc.ca.

 

 

N.L. Liberal MP votes with Conservatives over home heating fuel carbon tax exemption

Ken McDonald the only Liberal MP to stand in support of motion

McDonald, who represents Newfoundland and Labrador's Avalon riding, was the only Liberal to support the motion.

"For me it was an easy decision, I guess, to say I was going to vote in favour," McDonald said Tuesday morning.

"I just felt that putting an additional almost 20 cents when you include the HST on it as an increase, at this time of the affordability crisis that this country is into — probably the worst since the Great Depression — I just didn't think it was right to do that and it would have a major effect on the most vulnerable people in our society."

As he voted, the Opposition benches erupted in applause, with one Conservative member yelling, "Come on over!" 

The motion, put forward by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, quoted Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey's letter to the federal government in September.

Furey asked his federal colleagues to exempt home heating fuel from the carbon tax to avoid tacking on another 17.3 cents to the cost of a litre, which had already increased 60 per cent from September 2021 and has been a point of concern in Newfoundland and Labrador heading into the winter months.

Government bills are expected to be supported by all party members, McDonald noted, but since Monday's vote was on an Opposition motion, MPs have to let government know, within 24 hours of the vote, of their position.

He said he made his position known last week when the motion was introduced in the House.

The four other Liberal MPs from Newfoundland — Gudie Hutchings, Seamus O'Regan, Joanne Thompson and Churence Rogers — voted against the motion, while Labrador's Liberal MP Yvonne Jones wasn't present for the vote.

About 48,000 homes in Newfoundland and Labrador use furnace oil for heating. (Wayne Vallevand/CBC)

"A motion doesn't have to be acted on by government. If this motion had passed yesterday, government did not have to do anything with it," said McDonald.

"It has to be a bill in order for government to be compelled to do something on that particular vote. To me, I just didn't want to be seen as ignoring the people who put me here."

Carbon prices to triple

The federal price on carbon pollution is expected to triple by 2030. Next year, the price will increase annually by $15 per tonne instead of $10 until it reaches $170 per tonne in 2030. The current price is $50 per tonne.

It's a policy aimed at making fossil fuels progressively more expensive in an effort to encourage Canadians to choose greener alternatives.

McDonald said other Liberal members asked him why he planned to side with the Opposition but he felt no undue pressure from them. He also said he considered the possibility of backlash over  his decision to side with an Opposition motion, the first time he has done so.

"This issue was so important.… It affects the most vulnerable people in my riding and I cannot vote with the government on it."

About 48,000 homes in Newfoundland and Labrador use oil as a heating source. 

In his letter in September, Furey wrote, "Further cost increases at this point will only provide diminishing returns in terms of decarbonization while placing undue economic burdens on the people of this province."

McDonald said he didn't have any discussions with Furey ahead of the vote or after it was cast. 

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador 

With files from Ryan Cooke and The St. John's Morning Show

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

 

I read the news up north today and called both offices of the Liberal MP Michael McLeod to remind him of the last email I sent him on All Hallows Eve

Fraser, Sean - M.P.

<Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:46 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your contacting the constituency office of Sean Fraser. This is an automated reply.

 

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Fillmore, Andy - M.P.

<Andy.Fillmore@parl.gc.ca>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:46 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Hello, thank you for your email, this is an automated response confirming receipt.

 

Due to the high volume of correspondence we will prioritize responding to constituents in our riding of Halifax. Please reply to your original email with your postal code and we will reply as soon as possible.

 

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Battiste, Jaime - M.P.

<Jaime.Battiste@parl.gc.ca>
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Kelloway, Mike - M.P.

<Mike.Kelloway@parl.gc.ca>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:46 PM
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Sydney, NS

 


Please note, my office is receiving an extraordinary volume of correspondence. As such, response time may be longer than usual. Should you require immediate assistance, I suggest calling my office at 1 (866) 282-0699 and leaving a detailed message.

 

 

 **Priority is given to constituents of Cape Breton—Canso. Please reply to your original email with your address and phone number, and you will receive a response as soon as possible, if you live in the riding.**

 

Although we take the time to read every email, due to current volume my office will not be responding to generic form or mass emails.  However, all concerns are still noted and I appreciate you taking the time to reach out.

 

 

Be well,

 

 

Mike Kelloway

Member of Parliament

Cape Breton–Canso

 

 

 

To receive updates on Federal news, programs, funding opportunities and more please click here.


Constituency Office
850 Grand Lake Road, Sydney, N.S.
Toll-free: 1-866-282-0699

Facebook: 
facebook.com/MikeKellowayMP/
Twitter: @MikeKelloway
Instagram: @MikeKellowayMP

 

Blois, Kody - M.P.

<Kody.Blois@parl.gc.ca>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:46 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>







Thank you for emailing my office, myself or one of my staff will get back to you as quickly as possible. 

Including a phone number to reach you at in your email would be greatly appreciated. 

 You can follow up on an email by calling one of the two offices.

 

 

If you are having trouble with government services please call and speak to the constituency office. 

The office is open but due to COVID-19 I would appreciate if you called ahead to make a scheduled visit.

 

Constituency Office: (902) 542-4010

Parliament Hill Office: (613) 995-8231

 

 

The Government of Canada has no jurisdiction over road maintenance, the Nova Scotia Health Authority, or forestry. For those concerns within provincial jurisdiction you will need contact your Nova Scotia MLA. 

Find yours at: https://enstools.electionsnovascotia.ca/edinfo2012/

 

 

For the full list of COVID-19 financial support please look at the comprehensive list at: 

https://canada.ca/coronavirus or use this Government tool: https://covid-benefits.alpha.canada.ca/en/start

 

 

Kody Blois

Member of Parliament

Kings–Hants

 

Fisher, Darren - M.P.

<Darren.Fisher@parl.gc.ca>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:46 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Hi there,

This is an automated email.

Please note that our office is receiving an extraordinary volume of correspondence.  Should you require assistance with a federal matter, we encourage you to call our office at 902-462-6453 and leave a detailed message.


**Priority is given to constituents of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. If you currently live in our riding please reply to your original email with your address and phone number.**

Please note that although we take the time to review correspondence, due to email volume we are unable to respond to every email, however it will be noted.

Our office has a zero-tolerance policy for offensive language, harassment and threats.

Do you need emergency assistance while abroad?
Please also email
sos@international.gc.ca or call +1 613 996 8885 (call collect where available).

Take care,


Office of Darren Fisher, MP
Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
902-462-6453
DarrenFisher.ca

Rogers, Churence - M.P.

<Churence.Rogers@parl.gc.ca>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:46 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for contacting the office of Member of Parliament Churence Rogers.

If your inquiry relates to Bonavista-Burin-Trinity constituency matters or other matters related to MP Rogers' role as an MP, we will follow up as soon as possible. Please include your postal code.

If you have copied our office on general correspondence without a specific action for the MP, please consider this response as sufficient.

If you require immediate assistance or have not heard from us within 3 business days, please follow up with our office directly at 1-888-237-2455 between the hours of 9am to 5pm NL Time (or 7:30am - 3:30pm ET), Monday-Friday.


Thank You,

Office of Churence Rogers
Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
Centreville - 678-9026   | Clarenville - 466-6502  | Grand Bank - 832-1383
 
 

Berthold, Luc - Député

<Luc.Berthold@parl.gc.ca>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:46 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

(English follows)

 

Bonjour,

 

Je vous remercie de m’avoir fait parvenir votre message. Vos commentaires sont importants pour moi, afin de bien comprendre les enjeux qui sont importants pour les gens de Mégantic-l’Érable et du Canada.

 

Soyez assuré que j’en prendrai connaissance dans les plus brefs délais.

Si nécessaire, moi, ou un membre de mon équipe, allons communiquer avec vous.

 

Je vous remercie d’avoir pris le temps de m’écrire.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hello,

 

Thank you for sending me your message. Your comments are important to me, in order to fully understand the issues that are important to the people of Mégantic-Érable and of Canada.

 

Rest assured that I will read them as soon as possible.

 

If necessary, I, or a member of my team, will contact you.

 

Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

 

 

 

Luc Berthold

Député de Mégantic-L‘Érable

Leader parlementaire adjoint à la Chambre de l’Opposition officielle

Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition

 

Bureau Ottawa | 613-995-1377

Bureau circonscription | 1-866-770-2903

Courriel | luc.berthold@parl.gc.ca

 

keepcanada

<keepcanada@protonmail.com>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:44 PM
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com

Your amazing Canada, thank you so much. We have added this link to organize helpers! If you are wanting to help please fill out a form so we can delegate loglogistic  and location!! Freedom together !



Sent with ProtonMail Secure Email.

 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:44 PM
To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca, David.Yurdiga@parl.gc.ca, Michael.Kram@parl.gc.ca, Luc.Berthold@parl.gc.ca, Bernard.Genereux@parl.gc.ca, Joel.Godin@parl.gc.ca, jacques.gourde@parl.gc.ca, Richard.Lehoux@parl.gc.ca, info@peoplespartyofcanada.ca, Richard.Martel@parl.gc.ca, Pierre.Paul-Hus@parl.gc.ca, Alain.Rayes@parl.gc.ca, mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com, jrath@rathandcompany.com, lettertoeditor@epochtimes.com, newsdesk@epochtimes.com, ottawa@epochtimes.com, calgary.ca@epochtimes.com, wendy.tiong@epochtimes.com, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, jbosnitch <jbosnitch@gmail.com>, "darrow.macintyre" <darrow.macintyre@cbc.ca>, newsroom@ntdtv.com, feedback@ntdtv.com, jenny.chang@ntdtv.com, joe.wang@ntdtv.com, bgrant@thehill.com, nacharya <nacharya@thehill.com>, Peggy.Regimbal@bellmedia.ca, patrickking@canada-unity.com, james@canada-unity.com, novaxpass@outlook.com, martin@canada-unity.com, tdundas10@gmail.com, jlaface@gmail.com, davesteenburg269@gmail.com, brown_tm3@yahoo.ca, leannemb <leannemb@protonmail.com>, harold@jonkertrucking.com, keepcanada@protonmail.com, andyjohanna01@hotmail.com, janiebpelchat@icloud.com, janetseto@protonmail.com, johndoppenberg@icloud.com, stiessen1979@gmail.com, 77cordoba@outlook.com, pierrette.ringuette@sen.parl.gc.ca, Patrick.Brazeau@sen.parl.gc.ca, george.furey@sen.parl.gc.ca, larry.campbell@sen.parl.gc.ca, Bev.Busson@sen.parl.gc.ca, info@lionelmedia.com, liveneedtoknow@gmail.com, tips@steeltruth.com, media@steeltruth.com, press@deepcapture.com, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, bbachrach <bbachrach@bachrachlaw.net>, "Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "barbara.massey" <barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Norman Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, news <news@dailygleaner.com>, nobyrne <nobyrne@unb.ca>, tracy@uncoverdc.com, James@jamesfetzer.com, editor@americanthinker.com, nharris@maverick-media.ca, nouvelle <nouvelle@acadienouvelle.com>, news-tips <news-tips@nytimes.com>, danajmetcalfe@icloud.com, lauralynnlive@protonmail.com, rglangille@gmail.com, paulpalango <paulpalango@protonmail.com>, NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, nsinvestigators <nsinvestigators@gmail.com>, editor@ssimicro.com, inuvikdrum@nnsl.com, kivalliqnews@nnsl.com, editor@nunavutnews.com
Cc: Jaime.Battiste@parl.gc.ca, Kody.Blois@parl.gc.ca, Andy.Fillmore@parl.gc.ca, motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Darren.Fisher@parl.gc.ca, Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca, Bernadette.Jordan@parl.gc.ca, Mike.Kelloway@parl.gc.ca, Darrell.Samson@parl.gc.ca, Lenore.Zann@parl.gc.ca, "heather.bradley" <heather.bradley@parl.gc.ca>, geoff.regan@parl.gc.ca, kelly@kellyregan.ca, Michael.Duffy@sen.parl.gc.ca, Sean.Casey@parl.gc.ca, Robert.Morrissey@parl.gc.ca, lawrence.macaulay@parl.gc.ca, "Furey, John" <jfurey@nbpower.com>, wharrison <wharrison@nbpower.com>, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, Gudie.Hutchings@parl.gc.ca, Yvonne.Jones@parl.gc.ca, Ken.McDonald@parl.gc.ca, Seamus.ORegan@parl.gc.ca, Churence.Rogers@parl.gc.ca, scott.simms@parl.gc.ca, Jim.Carr@parl.gc.ca, Dan.Vandal@parl.gc.ca, kevin.lamoureux@parl.gc.ca, Terry.Duguid@parl.gc.ca, Larry.Bagnell@parl.gc.ca, Michael.McLeod@parl.gc.ca


 https://www.nnsl.com/news/nwt-mp-says-bill-c-21-must-not-impede-rights-of-northern-hunters/

NWT MP says Bill C-21 must not impede rights of Northern hunters

by NNSL Media December 7, 2022

“There are aspects of (the bill) right now that are a bit blurry for
me and a little bit concerning,” says Northwest Territories Member of
Parliament Michael McLeod. NNSL file photo

The federal government’s proposed legislation that aims in part to
prohibit hundreds of previously legal firearms may be called for a
final vote as soon as this month, but NWT MP Michael McLeod says he is
not yet satisfied with the bill in its current form.

McLeod, a member of the governing Liberal party, said he has long
supported his party’s effort to toughen gun laws since being elected
in 2015 and pointed out that he likes some provisions of the current
draft of Bill C-21. Aspects he approves of include red and yellow flag
laws that would allow court-order prohibitions, handgun freezes,
attention to illegal smuggling and trafficking and stiffer maximum
penalties for gun crimes.

However, he said definitions need to be clearer around what
constitutes “military-style assault weapons” and there needs to be a
better understanding as to why there are some non-semi-automatic guns
on the prohibition list.

He added that Public Safety Canada needs to better acknowledge common
gun use in the North and should improve consultation with Northerners
before a vote is held, particularly Indigenous people, as per Section
35 of the Constitution, the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous
Peoples and specific self-governing agreements.

“There are aspects of (the bill) right now that are a bit blurry for
me and a little bit concerning,” he said. “I don’t know what is being
suggested when it comes to changing the definition of assault weapons.

“I have spoken to the minister in charge, (Public Safety Minister)
Marco Mendicino, and I’ve indicated to him that he doesn’t have my
full support until I really understand this and until I’m completely
convinced (the bill) won’t affect hunters, sport shooters and trappers
in the North.

“I have also indicated that I’m not satisfied that his people have
done a good enough job to consult.”

‘Heated debate’

McLeod admitted he has a personal interest in the issue as he has been
a longtime collector of firearms, so he considers himself well versed
in the need for specifics when placing prohibitions on guns.

“There are already some guns that are not semi-automatics that are on
the list and we need to know why,” he said. “Most of them are because
they exceed the 10,000 joule (projectile limit) but we are trying to
scrub the list to make sure that nothing gets on that list that people
are using for hunting in the North.”

Because of his experience and perspective, there can be “heated”
debate within his own party, he said.

“A lot of times when we have discussions within caucus, I’m the one
with the most guns and probably the one with the most knowledge about
guns,” he said. “We have a large part of the MPs in caucus that… see
guns from a city/urban standpoint and look at it through that lens.
But there are lots from the rural or remote and northern parts of the
country that look at guns and view it in a different light.

“We don’t see it as a weapon but we see it as a tool.”

Raquel Dancho, Conservative MP and vice-chair of the House of Commons
public safety and national security committee that has been examining
the bill, said her party has been opposed to the bill from the
beginning. However, her opposition became stronger in recent weeks as
the government attempted during clause-by-clause reading in committee
to add non-restricted hunting rifles among those proposed to be
prohibited and to redefine a ‘military assault rifle’ with any
semi-automatic gun with the capacity to carry a magazine.

She has called the move “the largest assault on hunters in Canada” and
has charged that the federal government is going after “Grandpa Joe’s
hunting rifle instead of gangsters in Toronto.”

“The problem with that of course is that (the proposed bill)
encapsulates hundreds and hundreds of models of common firearms and
shotguns used for duck hunting or farming,” she said.

“Trudeau has been consistent in saying that he will never come for
hunters and now they are.

“If this legislation stands, it leaves a backdoor open that any listed
hunting rifle can be banned with the stroke of a pen.”

‘Hammered’ with emails

Dancho said that having a voice from provincial or territorial
leadership against the legislation — as Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
Alberta have done — could make a difference in presenting a stance
against the bill.

“I would also empower every voter who would like to see hunting remain
in Canada to reach out to the Liberal MP ASAP,” she said. “MPs are
currently getting hammered with thousands of emails on this.”

For his part, McLeod said he has received both support and opposition
to the bill and that he situates himself somewhere in the middle.

Scott Cairns, past president of the Yellowknife Shooting Club, said
he’s concerned that the bill amendments will likely lead to many club
members owning prohibited guns due to the popular use of
non-restricted, semi-automatic guns. Often these firearms are
beneficial to hunters wanting to get shots off quickly when ducks or
geese come into sight or when trying to quickly take down larger game
like deer or caribou.

“Because of the type of gun, the semi-automatic and the fact that they
are extra popular among users makes this a very sweeping prohibition,”
he explained.

“What the federal government is now saying with this law is that they
are taking firearms that were bought over the counter for normal use
and by the stroke of a pen saying that you are not allowed to sell,
use or trade away. It is not acceptable to me and should not be
acceptable to anyone.”

Possession acquisition licence

Cairns said that legal firearm owners already go through a rigorous
and invasive procedure to be able to possess in the first place, which
is among the opposition by gun owners regarding the proposed bill.

To legally own a gun in the Northwest Territories, one must seek out a
Possession acquisition licence (PAL) by first paying a $300 fee and
then taking a Canada Firearm Safety course led by a credible
instructor.

Once passing the course, one must fill out a five-page application
form to send to the RCMP.

Before a permit can be issued, the RCMP thoroughly researches an
applicant’s history, which can include marital and mental health
history and criminal record backgrounds.

After contact with references, a non-restricted firearm licence may
then be issued.

GNWT Department of Justice spokesperson Ngan Trinh said this week that
the territorial government is reviewing recent amendments to the bill
but admitted that questions remain surrounding the proposed
legislation, including on how proposed buyback program would work.

“Community safety and crime reduction is a shared responsibility with
the federal government and we will work with our partners including
Public Safety Canada and the RCMP to assess any implications from the
ban,” Trinh said.

Messages for this story were left with Justice Minister R.J. Simpson
and cabinet as well as the Northwest Territories RCMP on Dec. 1. They
did not respond by press deadline.

—By Simon Whitehouse, Northern News Services


Contact Us

Our publishing company, Northern News Services Limited and our
affiliated company, Canarctic Graphics Limited, a full-service printer
have offices in Nunavut and Northwest Territories.

Publisher: Mike W. Bryant
Print Shop Manager: Sean Crowell

Managing Editor: James McCarthy
Circulation Director: Edison Mathew

ALL DEPARTMENTS/ALL PAPERS
P.O.Box 2820
Yellowknife NT X1A 2R1
Phone (867) 873-4031
Fax (867) 873-8507
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Phone – 1-867-979-5990
Email: editor@nunavutnews.com

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Email: advertising@nunavutnews.com
Phone: (867) 766-8260
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Phone: (867) 645-3223
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Email: kivalliqnews@nnsl.com

Inuvik Drum, Mackenzie Delta, NT (Reporter): Eric Bowling
Ph.(867) 777- 4545
Fax (867) 777-4412
Email: inuvikdrum@nnsl.com

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Ph.(867) 874-2802
Fax (867) 874-2804

Email:advertise@hayriverhub.com
Email: editor@ssimicro.com

Canarctic Graphics Limited
P.O. Box 2758
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R1
Ph. (867) 873-4371
Fax (867) 920-4371


Methinks the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
are gonna have a Hell of a hearing on All Hallows Eve N'esy Pas?

Add star  David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>   Mon, Oct 31,
2022 at 1:16 PM
To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca, David.Yurdiga@parl.gc.ca,
Michael.Kram@parl.gc.ca, Luc.Berthold@parl.gc.ca,
Bernard.Genereux@parl.gc.ca, Joel.Godin@parl.gc.ca,
jacques.gourde@parl.gc.ca, Richard.Lehoux@parl.gc.ca,
info@peoplespartyofcanada.ca, Richard.Martel@parl.gc.ca,
Pierre.Paul-Hus@parl.gc.ca, Alain.Rayes@parl.gc.ca,
mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com, jrath@rathandcompany.com,
lettertoeditor@epochtimes.com, newsdesk@epochtimes.com,
ottawa@epochtimes.com, calgary.ca@epochtimes.com,
wendy.tiong@epochtimes.com, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, jbosnitch
<jbosnitch@gmail.com>, "darrow.macintyre" <darrow.macintyre@cbc.ca>,
newsroom@ntdtv.com, feedback@ntdtv.com, jenny.chang@ntdtv.com,
joe.wang@ntdtv.com, bgrant@thehill.com, nacharya
<nacharya@thehill.com>, Peggy.Regimbal@bellmedia.ca,
patrickking@canada-unity.com, james@canada-unity.com,
novaxpass@outlook.com, martin@canada-unity.com, tdundas10@gmail.com,
jlaface@gmail.com, davesteenburg269@gmail.com, brown_tm3@yahoo.ca,
leannemb <leannemb@protonmail.com>, harold@jonkertrucking.com,
keepcanada@protonmail.com, andyjohanna01@hotmail.com,
janiebpelchat@icloud.com, janetseto@protonmail.com,
johndoppenberg@icloud.com, stiessen1979@gmail.com,
77cordoba@outlook.com, pierrette.ringuette@sen.parl.gc.ca,
Patrick.Brazeau@sen.parl.gc.ca, george.furey@sen.parl.gc.ca,
larry.campbell@sen.parl.gc.ca, Bev.Busson@sen.parl.gc.ca,
info@lionelmedia.com, liveneedtoknow@gmail.com, tips@steeltruth.com,
media@steeltruth.com, press@deepcapture.com, washington field
<washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, bbachrach <bbachrach@bachrachlaw.net>,
"Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "barbara.massey"
<barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>,
Norman Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, news <news@dailygleaner.com>,
nobyrne <nobyrne@unb.ca>, tracy@uncoverdc.com, James@jamesfetzer.com,
editor@americanthinker.com, nharris@maverick-media.ca, nouvelle
<nouvelle@acadienouvelle.com>, news-tips <news-tips@nytimes.com>,
danajmetcalfe@icloud.com, lauralynnlive@protonmail.com,
rglangille@gmail.com, paulpalango <paulpalango@protonmail.com>,
NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, nsinvestigators
<nsinvestigators@gmail.com>
Cc: Jaime.Battiste@parl.gc.ca, Kody.Blois@parl.gc.ca,
Andy.Fillmore@parl.gc.ca, motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
Darren.Fisher@parl.gc.ca, Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca,
Bernadette.Jordan@parl.gc.ca, Mike.Kelloway@parl.gc.ca,
Darrell.Samson@parl.gc.ca, Lenore.Zann@parl.gc.ca, "heather.bradley"
<heather.bradley@parl.gc.ca>, geoff.regan@parl.gc.ca,
kelly@kellyregan.ca, Michael.Duffy@sen.parl.gc.ca,
Sean.Casey@parl.gc.ca, Robert.Morrissey@parl.gc.ca,
lawrence.macaulay@parl.gc.ca, "Furey, John" <jfurey@nbpower.com>,
wharrison <wharrison@nbpower.com>, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>,
"Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>,
Gudie.Hutchings@parl.gc.ca, Yvonne.Jones@parl.gc.ca,
Ken.McDonald@parl.gc.ca, Seamus.ORegan@parl.gc.ca,
Churence.Rogers@parl.gc.ca, scott.simms@parl.gc.ca,
Jim.Carr@parl.gc.ca, Dan.Vandal@parl.gc.ca,
kevin.lamoureux@parl.gc.ca, Terry.Duguid@parl.gc.ca,
Larry.Bagnell@parl.gc.ca, Michael.McLeod@parl.gc.ca

On 10/31/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>  ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "DOJ: Attorney General" <attorneygeneral@doj.nh.gov>
> Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:35:02 +0000
> Subject: DOJ: Automatic Response
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> We appreciate your taking the time to submit a question or concern.
> Because of the volume of emails we receive, we are unable to respond
> to every one.  However, your email will be reviewed and a response
> provided if appropriate.
>
>
> BTW I just got a call from 1 603 271 3642 by a Yankee claiming to
> speak for the Attorney General.
>
> The sneaky dude played too dumb to suit me so I told him to have his
> boss answer me in writing.
>
> Then I called his Governor and left him a voicemail
>
> Go Figure what I said about Feds and Fishing
>
> https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-and-media/nh-file-amicus-brief-support-lobster-and-fishing-industry-northeast
>
> Press Release
> For Immediate Release
> Posted: October 27, 2022
> Contact
> Communications Director
> (603) 271-2121 | Sununu.Press@nh.gov
> NH To File Amicus Brief in Support of Lobster and Fishing Industry in
> the Northeast
>
> Concord, NH – Today, the State of New Hampshire filed a notice of
> intent to file an Amicus Curiae Brief with the United States Court of
> Appeals for the District of Columbia in support of the northeast
> lobster and fishing industry in Maine Lobstermen's Association v.
> National Marine Fisheries Services, No. 22-5238.
>
> In September 2022, the United States District Court for the District
> of Columbia ruled in favor of the National Marine Fisheries Services
> (NMFS), upholding their Biological Opinion and the subsequent
> regulatory decisions based on it, which would impose significant new
> restrictions and regulations on New England's lobster industry.
>
>     "This ruling, if upheld, would devastate New England's lobster
> industry with restrictive regulations brought on by the federal
> government," said Governor Chris Sununu. "This is a bipartisan issue
> New Hampshire and Maine are aligned on, and we as state officials have
> an obligation to stand up and provide the leadership necessary to
> fight Washington and to preserve the lobster and fishing industry in
> our states."
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:32:33 -0300
> Subject: Methinks the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National
> Security are gonna have a Hell of a hearing on All Hallows Eve N'esy Pas?
> To: "stephen.ellis" <stephen.ellis@parl.gc.ca>, "rick.perkins"
> <rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca>, "Raquel.Dancho" <Raquel.Dancho@parl.gc.ca>,
> "taleeb.noormohamed" <taleeb.noormohamed@parl.gc.ca>,
> Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>,
> news-tips <news-tips@nytimes.com>, clifford.small@parl.gc.ca,
> contactmistersunshinebaby@gmail.com, "rob.moore"
> <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, rokaku8 <rokaku8@gmail.com>, nsinvestigators
> <nsinvestigators@gmail.com>, "pierre.poilievre"
> <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, "Mark.Blakely"
> <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>,
> "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, NightTimePodcast
> <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, "Nathalie.G.Drouin"
> <Nathalie.G.Drouin@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, attorneygeneral@doj.nh.gov
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Brenda.Lucki"
> <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>,
> "Marco.Mendicino" <Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, premier
> <premier@ontario.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford"
> <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>
>
>
> https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/10/nova-scotia-mass-shooting-oct-23-2022.html
>
>
> Friday, 28 October 2022
> Nova Scotia Mass Shooting - October Surprise 2022 - with the help of
> Paul Palango and his pals
>
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGUnEKseIbs&ab_channel=CBCNews
>
>
> Did Ottawa interfere in the investigation of the Nova Scotia mass shooting?
> 42,144 views
> Jun 21, 2022
> 449
> CBC News
>  3.2M subscribers
> A report released by a public inquiry into the 2020 Nova Scotia mass
> shooting suggests RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki had promised the
> government to release information regarding the firearms used in the
> tragedy. MPs Taleeb Noormohamed and Raquel Dancho weigh in. To read
> more: http://cbc.ca/1.6496511
>
> 293 Comments
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> Methinks CBC et al should start reviewing my emails N'esy Pas?
>
>
>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSNsXrLt7pQ&ab_channel=mistersunshinebaby
>
>
> Trudeau's Latest Scandal, Covering Up Voice Recording
> 116,234 views
> Oct 28, 2022
> mistersunshinebaby
> 246K subscribers
> Buy Me A Coffee! https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/miste...
> Come join me on the most POPULAR Politics Discord to talk about
> Politics - https://discord.gg/TgMsmdeHah
>
> 1,092 Comments
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> Have you read my email yet?
>
>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l96DgtXXF8w&ab_channel=mistersunshinebaby
>
>
> Someone Is Lying, So Who Is It?
> 6,051 views
> Oct 29, 2022
>
> mistersunshinebaby
> 246K subscribers
> Buy Me A Coffee! https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/miste...
> Come join me on the most POPULAR Politics Discord to talk about
> Politics - https://discord.gg/TgMsmdeHah
>
>
> 133 Comments
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> Everybody knows that Raquel Dancho is a liar too
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv9KCVBWpV4&ab_channel=LittleGreyCells
>
>
> Cons MP/Pubic Safety critic Raquel Dancho call on Minister Bill Blair
> & Commissioner Lucki to resign
> 487 views
> Oct 22, 2022
>
> Little Grey Cells
> 3.48K subscribers
> 22 Comments
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> For the Public Record I called Raquel Dancho's office again the day
> she made this announcement. Her assistant denied knowing anything
> about my prior calls or emails so I hung up after informing him that
> at least her computer was ethical
>
>
> CON-CAN
> CON-CAN
> We should all write to her and let her know that we want them to say
> 23. We'll see if she does.
>
> Peter Byker
> Peter Byker
> easy peasy! I just sent this to her via raquel dancho .com --- Thank
> you, Ms. Dancho. The MCC, SECU participants etc. need to acknowledge
> vocally that 23 lives were lost in Nova Scotia. Reality demands that
> we underscore the tragedy of poor baby Beaton as fulsomely as
> possible. Thank you for all you do to restore Canada's reputation as a
> Justice-seeking people.
> 😇
>
>
>
> SoLVersSoCieTy
> SoLVersSoCieT
> Gotta Wonder if they aren't insisting on saying 22 as a comm Regarding
> that garden group with 22 members..🤔
>
>
>
> Tay Mar
> Tay Mar
> Political interference and pressure???? Say it isn't so!
>
>
>
> MARK MESSER
> MARK MESSER
> Excellent
>
>
>
> Peter Byker
> Peter Byker
> Music to my ears! Keep the pressure on our Govt. and make things right
> again in Canada. The future is still being written!
>
> Little Grey Cells
> Lessons from the MCC... still being written.
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
>  @Little Grey Cells  Yea Right BUT BY WHOM???
>
>
>
> SoLVersSoCieTy
> SoLVersSoCieTy
> Raquel is not only extremely intelligent and well versed.. she's drop
> dead gorgeous too🥴
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> Never mind how pretty she is trust that somebody is tired of her bullshit
>
>
>
> Joanne Willoughby
> Joanne Willoughby
> Absolutely he should resign today!!
>
>
>
> Tay Mar
> Tay Mar
> STOP SENDING $$ TO UKRAINE!
>
> Bonnie McLaren
> Bonnie McLaren
> Remember when Trudeau gave $ to we charity that his mother and brother
> spoke at, his $10.5 mil to Omar made, and his gift $ to talk show host
> Trevor Noah...
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> I concur Furthermore the Subject line of my email to Raquel Dancho and
> her computer's response easily proves I was saying such things out of
> the gate
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Dancho, Raquel - M.P."
> Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2022 07:30:10 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: RE Trudeau Invoking the Emergency Act and
> Freeland defending her liberal democracy byway of her bankster buddies
> To: David Amos
>
>
>
> Tay Mar
> Tay Mar
> Ottawa needs a cleaning
>
>
>
> Dan Levesque
> Dan Levesque
> The best looking and smartest and down to earth as in common sense
> first prime minister of Canada to be elected. Keep it up please.
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> Dream on
>
>
> https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/02/trudeau-invoking-emergency-act-and.html
>
> Saturday, 19 February 2022
> Trudeau Invoking the Emergency Act and Freeland defending her liberal
> democracy byway of her bankster buddies
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Dancho, Raquel - M.P." <Raquel.Dancho@parl.gc.ca>
> Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2022 07:30:10 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: RE Trudeau Invoking the Emergency Act and
> Freeland defending her liberal democracy byway of her bankster buddies
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Hello,
> We appreciate you taking the time to contact the Office of Raquel
> Dancho, Member of Parliament for Kildonan—St. Paul.
> Our office receives 100’s of emails each week:
> •   If you are a Kildonan–St. Paul constituent, please reply to this
> email with your name and current address with postal code. This will
> ensure we expedite your correspondence. We may also be reached by
> phone at the Winnipeg office at 204-984-6322. We would be pleased to
> assist you.
> •    If your organization is requesting a meeting with MP Dancho,
> please allow 2 weeks for staff to process your request.
> •   Individuals outside of Kildonan—St. Paul should contact their
> local MP to address their concerns. You can find out who your MP is at
> this link: Find Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House
> of Commons of Canada
> (ourcommons.ca)<https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en>
> •    If you are contacting MP Dancho regarding an immigration case
> from outside of Canada unfortunately we are unable to assist. To avoid
> delays please direct your inquiry to Immigration, Refugees, and
> Citizenship Canada at this link: My immigration or citizenship
> application -
> Canada.ca<https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application.html>
> Sincerely,
> Office of Raquel Dancho, MP
>
>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvE4oLmJn20&ab_channel=NationalPost
>
>
> RCMP release audio of tense call with Lucki after N.S. massacre
> 38,890 views
> Oct 20, 2022
> National Post
> 104K subscribers
> Subscribe http://www.youtube.com/user/nationalp... RCMP release audio
> of tense call with Lucki after N.S. massacre
>
> 675 Comments
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> Surprise Surprise Surprise
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs_p-Fh7PBI&t=21s&ab_channel=NationalPost
>
>
> Full Testimony: RCMP's Brenda Lucki on alleged political interference
> in N.S. massacre investigation
> 15,896 views
> Jul 25, 2022
> National Post
> 104K subscribers
> Subscribe http://www.youtube.com/user/nationalp... RCMP boss Brenda
> Lucki appears before commons committee on N.S. shooting probe.
>
>
> 265 Comments
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> Methinks the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
> are gonna have a Hell of a hearing on All Hallows Eve N'esy Pas?
>
> Meeting 43
> Allegations of Political Interference in the 2020 Nova Scotia Mass
> Murder Investigation 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (EDT)
>
>
>
https://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/SECU/Meetings
>
>
> Committees SECU
> Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
> Follow @HoCCommittees for tweets from #SECU
> Meetings
> Newsletter 44th Parliament, 1st Session
> (November 22, 2021 - Present)
> Future Meetings
> Tomorrow
> Meeting 43
> Allegations of Political Interference in the 2020 Nova Scotia Mass
> Murder Investigation
> 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (EDT)
> 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (EDT)
> Wellington Building, Room 425
> Webcast
> Studies and Activities
>
>     Allegations of Political Interference in the 2020 Nova Scotia Mass
> Murder Investigation
>
>
>
>
> https://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/SECU/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=11872400
>
>
> 44th Parliament, 1st Session
> (November 22, 2021 - Present)
> Meeting Requested by Five Members of the Committee to Discuss their
> Request to Undertake a Study of Development regarding the allegations
> of political interference in the Nova Scotia Mass Murder Investigation
> First meeting scheduled for: Monday, October 24, 2022
> Monday, October 24, 2022
> Meeting 40
>
>
https://masscasualtycommission.ca/calendar/event/100016/
>
> Virtual Proceeding
> October 27, 2022 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
>
> The Commission will hold a brief virtual proceeding on October 27,
> 2022 to mark additional documents as exhibits.
>
> Agenda
>
> The Commission will hold a brief virtual proceeding on October 27,
> 2022 to mark additional documents as exhibits. The additional exhibits
> will include supporting material for public proceedings that were not
> previously marked, interview transcripts, Commission correspondence
> for the public record, and documents produced to the Commission after
> the completion of public proceedings.
>
> Note
>
>     View the documents section for Research, Foundational Documents
> and Additional Exhibits that are entered into evidence during
> proceedings.
>     To learn more about the Commission's third and final phase of
> work, visit the frequently asked questions page.
>
>
> https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/living-here-is-a-complete-nightmare-portapique-survivor-of-n-s-shooting-struggling-with-little-support-1.6126770
>
> 'Living here is a complete nightmare': Portapique survivor of N.S.
> shooting struggling with little support
>
> Leon Joudrey, who lives in Portapique, N.S., is interviewed by CTV
> Atlantic on Oct. 26, 2022.Leon Joudrey, who lives in Portapique, N.S.,
> is interviewed by CTV Atlantic on Oct. 26, 2022.
> Heidi Petracek
> CTV News Atlantic Reporter
> Published Oct. 26, 2022 9:14 p.m. ADT
>
> PORTAPIQUE, N.S. -
>
> Leon Joudrey's home is surrounded by terrible memories of the night
> his friends and neighbours just down the road were killed in Nova
> Scotia's mass shooting.
>
> “Living here is a complete nightmare, all I see is my friends that
> died, and fires, and SWAT teams and I don't even want to be here
> anymore,” he says.
>
> After the April 2020 tragedy, Joudrey spent almost two years living
> anywhere he could but Portapique.
>
> But he had to return to maintain the house and 3.5 acres of land off
> Orchard Beach Road after unsuccessfully trying to sell the property.
>
> The modest bungalow, it’s basement recently finished by Joudrey, is
> where the killer’s common-law-spouse, Lisa Banfield, ran to for help
> in the early morning hours of April 19, 2020 after she hid from
> Gabriel Wortman overnight after he assaulted her during an argument.
>
> By that time, Joudrey had already smelled a structure fire burning
> somewhere in the community. When he took a drive to try to find the
> source, he encountered an ERT team in a tactical vehicle, and says he
> was simply ordered over a loudspeaker to leave the area.
>
> Not knowing what was going on, he returned to his house and his two dogs.
>
> Down the road, his friends and neighbours, Greg and Jamie Blair, had
> already been murdered at their home.
>
> His ex-girlfriend Lisa McCully had also been killed in front of her home.
>
> Joudrey didn’t know about the killings until after another ERT team
> came to his home to extract Banfield from the community.
>
> He says the officers didn’t even ask his name and left him there while
> Wortman was still at large.
>
> “I'm the lucky one, I survived,” Joudrey told CTV News in an interview
> a month after the 22 murders.
>
> However, his experience continues to haunt him and has taken a toll.
>
> “And I was taking stuff out on people and social media, and then the
> police picked me up one night, took me to the (psychiatric) hospital,
> and that's where I spent the next month,” he says.
>
> Once he was released from hospital, Joudrey says there was no mental
> health follow-up, although he says he has been diagnosed with PTSD.
>
> “Well, they kind of forgot about me,” he says. “I kind of fell through
> the cracks in the mental health system and it was about four months
> before they did any follow up or checks with me."
>
> Joudrey says he is now seeing a psychiatrist and just connected with a
> psychologist in the past month. It’s been two-and-a-half years since
> the tragedy.
>
> One of the lawyers representing many of the families of victims and
> survivors says Joudrey’s struggle is indicative of what many are going
> through.
>
> “A number of them feel, just forgotten about,” says Sandra McCulloch.
>
> “There are people who are survivors of the mass casualty event that
> are still having a hard time, they're still not fully supported."
>
> The issue of supporting survivors is one she raised at the Mass
> Casualty Commission examining the tragedy.
>
> “I know this does come within the umbrella of the work that the
> commission is doing, but we have also been concerned that there’s been
> focus on, and rightfully so, on those who have been lost, and the
> families they’ve left behind. And there’s been broader focus on our
> communities in general and how improvements can be made to prevent and
> address events that may be comparable to this in the future,” she
> says.
>
> “But there does seem to be those people that may fall in the middle
> that aren’t as immediately affected by the mass casualty event, in the
> way that we might first come to think of.”
>
> “Their own experiences, they’re unique,” she adds. “And we’re
> certainly hoping that the Mass Casualty Commission will be attentive
> to the recommendations that support individuals like the survivors as
> well.”
>
> The municipal councillor for the Portapique area at the time of the
> shootings, Tom Taggart, agrees that some residents in the area are
> still facing challenges.
>
> “It's as big or a bigger struggle today as it was back then,” says
> Taggart, now the PC MLA for Colchester North.
>
> He says for some, there is sadness over the loss of what the community once
> was.
>
> “And now, the community that they had loved so much is gone, in a
> sense, that little community within that community,” he says. “They’ve
> lost that (within that subdivision), they’ll never get it back.”
>
> “They were sort of over here, the focus was all on the inquiry and the
> RCMP, the victims, and these folks are quietly trying to rebuild their
> lives, and it's not easy,” says Taggart.
>
> Joudrey describes it in another way.
>
> “It's been hell,” he says.
>
> Joudrey says he’s also under financial strain.
>
> It's been almost two years since he was able to work at his former
> forestry job, and he says disability benefits through his employer
> will run out in early 2023.
>
> He says he’s now waiting for a letter from his psychiatrist to see if
> he can return to work.
>
> While $6.2 million was raised in donations to the “Stronger Together”
> fund administered by the Canadian Red Cross in response to the
> shootings, the organization says that money was earmarked for family
> members of those killed in the tragedy.
>
> “In particular with a focus on those who had dependents who relied
> upon someone who is no longer with us,” says Bill Lawlor with the
> Canadian Red Cross.
>
> “But certainly if anyone had an inquiry, we would encourage them to
> reach out to us.”
>
> But that means survivors such as Joudrey did not qualify for the
> assistance, which the Red Cross says has all been committed and either
> dispersed or held in trust.
>
> Joudrey wants to sell his property, but isn’t sure he’ll get enough
> for it to be able to make a new start.
>
> But he doesn’t want to stay in a place that reminds him of the past.
>
> “It’s not the same anymore,” he says.
>
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuujxfGxmno&ab_channel=ohdear
>
>
> Oct 26th 2022 Interview
> 6 views
> Oct 27, 2022
> oh dear
> 64 subscribers
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO3WCEeBfrY&ab_channel=LittleGreyCells
>
> Leon Joudrey: in his own words
> 9,896 views
> Premiered Oct 11, 2020
> Little Grey Cells
> 3.48K subscribers
>
> 59 Comments
>
> David Amos
> David Amos
> As I watched, read and listened to Paul Palango and his pals yap
> tonight I felt honoured by the fact that you people do not have the
> balls to say my name
>
>
>
> On 2/17/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>> https://www.bitchute.com/video/060EVx04yDvD/
>>
>> February 14 Brian Peckford Presser - Complete
>>
>> First published at 19:11 UTC on February 15th, 2022.
>>
>>     #BrianPeckford #TamaraLich
>>
>> Live with Laura-Lynn
>> Laura-Lynn
>> 11917 subscribers
>>
>> February 14 Brian Peckford Presser - Complete
>> All of my content is completely, 100% viewer supported and funded.
>> Thank you for your kindness and generosity to keep information like
>> this coming!
>>
>> https://www.bitchute.com/video/nPgdH8NsHljc/
>>
>> TBOF’s Press Conference in Response To Trudeau Invoking the Emergency Act
>>
>> Live with Laura-Lynn
>> Laura-Lynn
>> 11917 subscribers
>>
>> TBOF’s Press Conference in Response To Trudeau Invoking the Emergency Act
>> All of my content is completely, 100% viewer supported and funded.
>> Thank you for your kindness and generosity to keep information like
>> this coming!
>> “Fear is the Virus” T-Shirts:…
>>
>>
>> https://westernstandardonline.com/2021/11/alberta-lawyer-files-complaint-against-pfizer/
>>
>> Alberta lawyer files complaint against Pfizer
>>
>> The statement says the US FDA briefing “fraudulently and misleadingly
>> does not discuss or acknowledge any other potential causes of death.”
>> mm
>>
>> Published 3 months ago
>> on November 19, 2021
>> By Melanie Risdon
>>
>> https://www.facebook.com/therealpatking/videos/4887547348000044
>>
>> On 3/11/21, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario
>>> <Premier@ontario.ca>
>>> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 22:56:03 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Anybody know who the Governor General is
>>> these days??? Methinks if Trudeau the Younger wants a writ dropped
>>> somebody has to do the dirty deed N'esy Pas?
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly
>>> valued.
>>>
>>> You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
>>> reviewed and taken into consideration.
>>>
>>> There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
>>> need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
>>> correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
>>> response may take several business days.
>>>
>>> Thanks again for your email.
>>> ______­­
>>>
>>> Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
>>> nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
>>>
>>> Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
>>> considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
>>>
>>> Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
>>> responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
>>> la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
>>> ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
>>>
>>> Merci encore pour votre courriel.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: Info <Info@gg.ca>
>>> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 21:26:28 +0000
>>> Subject: OSGG General Inquiries / Demande de renseignements généraux au
>>> BSGG
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Thank you for writing to the Office of the Secretary to the Governor
>>> General. We appreciate hearing your views and suggestions. Responses
>>> to specific inquiries can be expected within three weeks. Please note
>>> that general comments and opinions may not receive a response.
>>>
>>> *****
>>>
>>> Nous vous remercions d'avoir écrit au Bureau du secrétaire du
>>> gouverneur général. Nous aimons prendre connaissance de vos points de
>>> vue et de vos suggestions. Il faut allouer trois semaines pour
>>> recevoir une réponse à une demande précise. Veuillez noter que nous ne
>>> donnons pas nécessairement suite aux opinions et aux commentaires
>>> généraux.
>>>
>>>
>>> IMPORTANT NOTICE: This message may contain confidential or privileged
>>> information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are
>>> not the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or
>>> copy this email. Please notify the sender immediately if you have
>>> received this email by mistake and delete it from your system.
>>>
>>> AVIS IMPORTANT : Le présent courriel peut contenir des renseignements
>>> confidentiels et est strictement réservé à l’usage de la personne à
>>> qui il est destiné. Si vous n’êtes pas la personne visée, vous ne
>>> devez pas diffuser, distribuer ou copier ce courriel. Merci de nous en
>>> aviser immédiatement et de supprimer ce courriel s’il vous a été
>>> envoyé par erreur.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/11/21, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> ---------- Original message ----------
>>>> From: Art.McDonald@forces.gc.ca
>>>> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 17:08:24 +0000
>>>> Subject: Automatic reply: YO JONATHAN.VANCE You have been ducKing e
>>>> since 2015 when I was running iN the election of the 42nd Parliament
>>>> and suing the Queen in Federal Court Methinks it is YOU who should
>>>> finally call me back N'esy Pas?
>>>> To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
>>>>
>>>> The Acting Chief of the Defence Staff is LGen Wayne Eyre, he may be
>>>> reached at wayne.eyre@forces.gc.ca.
>>>>
>>>> Le Chef d'état-major de la Défense par intérim est le LGen Wayne Eyre.
>>>> Il peut être rejoint au wayne.eyre@forces.gc.ca.
>>>>
>>>> Art McD
>>>> He/Him // Il/Lui
>>>> Admiral/amiral Art McDonald
>>>>
>>>> Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS)
>>>> Canadian Armed Forces
>>>> art.mcdonald@forces.gc.ca<mailto:art.mcdonald@forces.gc.ca> / Tel:
>>>> 613-992-5054
>>>>
>>>> Chef d’état-major de la Defense (CÉMD)
>>>> Forces armées canadiennes
>>>> art.mcdonald@forces.gc.ca<mailto:art.mcdonald@forces.gc.ca> / Tél:
>>>> 613-992-5054
>>>>
>>>>
>

 

 

 

 

 

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